Over 20 Beer Stores have closed since May 2024: Employee rights
What’s going on at The Beer Store?
The union representing employees at The Beer Store said 23 locations have closed since Ontario Premier Doug Ford expanded alcohol sales last May.
“These are good-paying jobs,” John Nock, president of Local 12R24 of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), told CBC News London.
“For the consumer, prices will also be going up. There’s no limit on how much [stores] can charge. There’s only a floor, not a ceiling.”
The Beer Store claims on its website that its retail division has more than 5,500 unionized and non-unionized workers across the province.
SEE ALSO
• Cibo Wine Bar Yonge Street closing after 10 years
• Peavey Mart closing all Canadian stores, obtained creditor protection
• CTV News: Employment lawyer on closure of Joriki Beverages
• How Trump’s tariffs could affect Canadians: 3 key employee rights
Employee rights when a location closes
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Severance pay
If you're a non-unionized employee, you're generally owed severance pay. Severance is calculated using a variety of factors, including length of service, age, position, and your employment contract. Full severance can amount to 24 months’ pay, and should include bonuses, benefits, as well as commission. -
Working notice
Employers may provide working notice, or advance notice, of termination instead of severance pay. This means that employees continue working until the closure date. Employers can offer working notice, severance pay, or a combination of both. If the notice period doesn't meet your full legal entitlement, you may still be owed additional severance.
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Offered a job elsewhere?
If your employer offers you a position at another location, consider whether the role is comparable in responsibilities, location, and pay. Refusing a reasonable offer might affect severance pay, but significant differences or hardships could justify declining without impacting your rights. -
Additional rights
Even in unique situations, your rights remain protected. This includes being on a medical leave or another type leave, working part-time, or being misclassified as an independent contractor. You may also have claims related to non-compete clauses, unpaid wages, overtime, or bonuses.
5 steps to take when you lose your job
1️⃣ Don’t sign anything immediately: You have the right to carefully review all termination documents. Remember, the employer’s severance offer deadline isn’t legally binding. Speak with one of our lawyers before accepting anything to ensure you’re fully informed and protected.
2️⃣ Document everything: Save copies of termination letters, severance offers, and correspondence with your employer for future reference.
3️⃣ Use our Severance Pay Calculator: Estimate what you’re owed with our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. This quick step helps you understand your entitlements and plan your next move.
4️⃣ Get legal advice: Contact an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package reflects your full rights.
5️⃣ Start exploring new opportunities: Update your resume and begin searching for new roles. Proactively seeking work not only boosts your career, but also demonstrates your effort to find a new job, which is crucial in severance claims.
ℹ️ UNIONIZED? If you’re a unionized employee, severance and wrongful dismissal claims must be handled by your union through the grievance process outlined in your collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
By law, employment lawyers can’t represent you in these types of matters.
WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru breaks down everything you need to know about severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.
LEARN MORE
• Severance pay for provincially regulated employees
• Are severance packages different during mass layoffs?
• Severance entitlements in a recession
Why Samfiru Tumarkin LLP?
Unlike employment law firms that rely heavily on courtroom victories, our proven strategy focuses on maximizing severance packages early in the claim process—helping clients avoid the time, cost, and stress of litigation.
With extensive courtroom experience to fall back when necessary, we excel at securing generous outcomes quickly and efficiently for our clients.
In addition to severance package negotiations, our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. can help with a variety of employment matters, including:
If you’re a non-unionized employee who needs help with a workplace issue, contact us or call 1-855-821-5900.
Get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.
Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.
About the Author
Lior Samfiru
Lior Samfiru is a Founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and the Practice Leader of the firm’s Labour & Employment Law Group. Known for his advocacy and success representing both employees and employers, Lior exclusively serves clients in Ontario, where his extensive experience has made him one of Canada’s most sought-after employment lawyers.
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