PwC Layoffs: Your Rights and Severance Pay Explained
Facing a Layoff at PwC? Know Your Options
What is PwC?
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), is a multinational professional services firm that offers a range of services in Canada, including audit and assurance, consulting, tax services, advisory and legal services, and digital transformation. It is considered one of the “Big Four” accounting firms in Canada, alongside Deloitte, EY, and KPMG.
Of a global workforce of nearly 370,000, PwC employs approximately 8,000 people in Canada. Its head office is located in Toronto, with additional offices in cities like London, Oakville, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The types of jobs at PwC include accountants, auditors, consultants, tax professionals, IT specialists, data analysts, legal professionals, and more.
On May 15, 2025, it was revealed that PwC cut 1,500 employees from its workforce due to “historically low attrition.”
Your Rights as a Non-Unionized Employee
The professional services industry comes with unique dynamics that can affect employees during a layoff. If you’ve been let go from PwC, it’s critical to review your employment agreement carefully.
We’re Here to Support Your Next Steps
Losing your job is more than just a financial setback—it’s a major change that can impact your career trajectory and personal confidence.
This guide is here to provide clarity and empower you during this transition.
We’ll outline your severance rights, explain what non-unionized employees are entitled to, and offer actionable steps to help you move forward and protect your future.
ℹ️ Wondering about your rights after losing your job? Watch the video below or check out the full episode in our TV section.
5 Steps to Take If You’ve Been Laid Off By Pwc
1️⃣ Don’t sign anything immediately: Take your time to review all termination documents carefully. Speak with a lawyer before signing 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 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 important in severance claims.
Our firm can review your situation and advise you of potential next steps in the event that you were wrongfully dismissed.
Severance pay facts for PwC employees
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How to calculate
Severance Pay can include up to 24 months’ pay. It’s based on factors like your length of service, age, position, and the current job market conditions. -
Additional factors
Severance can include more than a lump sum. Regular bonuses, commissions, and continued health or dental benefits should be part of your package, especially if they’re critical for ongoing care.
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Time limit
Your employer’s deadline to sign a severance offer isn’t legally binding. Take your time to review it and get legal advice. You have up to two years from your termination date to file a claim. -
Still owed severance
Severance often applies even when employers claim cause, misclassify you as a contractor, end a fixed-term contract early, or make major changes to your job.
PwC Layoffs: Key Dates andinsights
PwC has announced several layoffs over recent years due to recessions, downsizing, restructuring, cost-cutting measures, and shifts in operational focus.
Below is a timeline of recent layoffs:
- May 2025: PwC has laid off 1,500 U.S. staff in tax and audit, citing low attrition and a cooling market.
- April 2024: PwC Canada is reportedly laying off over 100 employees from its consulting division as part of restructuring.
- November 2023: PwC is reportedly cutting hundreds of jobs in the U.K. and Australia. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has been contacted by several Canadian employees who claim that they have also been let go.
When layoffs happen, we deliver results
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP specializes in resolving severance matters efficiently, ensuring clients get fair compensation without stepping into a courtroom. Nearly all cases are settled in our clients’ favour early, but when court is necessary, we have the expertise to deliver results—often with legal fees covered by the employer.
33 Years, a Payout to Sink Your Teeth Into
After decades of loyal service at an Ottawa dental practice, a hygienist refused unfair new terms following a sale. With Samfiru Tumarkin LLP by her side, she secured 24 months’ severance, benefits, and legal costs—proof that dedication deserves justice.
Short stint, huge statement
In Marques v. Delmar International, a high-level executive was shown the door after just eight months—but didn’t leave empty-handed. Thanks to Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, they secured a four-month severance, showing even short-term employees deserve big wins.
Big win for short-service executive
In Perretta v. Rand A Technology Corporation, a sales professional refused to settle for less when her employer tried to tie severance to an unfair release. With Samfiru Tumarkin LLP on her side, she walked away with six months of severance—a bold win.
Layoff FAQs
Do Employment Contracts Affect Severance?
Yes, an employment contract can affect your severance entitlements if it includes enforceable termination clauses. However, many of these clauses may be invalid for several reasons.
Are Temporary Layoffs Legal?
Temporary layoffs for non-unionized employees are generally not permitted unless specifically allowed by an employment contract. Otherwise, a layoff may be treated as a termination through a constructive dismissal claim.
Am I Entitled to Severance as a Contractor?
If your work closely resembles that of an employee—such as reporting to a manager, using company equipment, or working regular hours—you may qualify for severance even if classified as a contractor.
Should I Negotiate My Severance Package?
To ensure that you receive the amount of compensation that you’re entitled to, let our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia negotiate on your behalf.
Are Severance Deadlines Legal?
Your employer’s deadline to accept a severance offer isn’t legally binding. You have up to two years from your termination date to file a claim for severance, so it’s important to review your offer carefully and seek legal advice before signing anything.
Why Choose Samfiru Tumarkin LLP?
We are Samfiru Tumarkin LLP — Canada’s top-rated employment law firm for non-unionized employees. We’ve helped over 50,000 people secure compensation after job loss, and we’re the most positively reviewed law firm in the country, with over 3,000 five-star Google reviews.
Our team has extensive experience assisting employees who have been laid off or terminated by PwC. We’ve successfully handled cases involving wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, and unfair severance offers.
Trusted by Thousands. Respected Nationwide.
We’ve represented employees from startups to multinational corporations across Canada and in every major industry.
If you’ve been let go by PwC, speak with an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP before signing any documents.
You’re not alone. We’ve helped many PwC employees navigate restructuring and severance — clarifying their rights, securing fair compensation, and restoring peace of mind.
Layoffs are difficult. We’re here to help you take back control.
We assist employees in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia—ensuring their rights are fully protected.
We also assist clients with insurance claims across all provinces (excluding Quebec), including
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Life insurance
- Critical illness
- Mortgage insurance
- CPP disability
Get Help Today!
Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to get the compensation you deserve. Call 1-855-821-5900 or request an online consultation.
- ✔️ Over 50,000 Canadians helped
- ✔️ Millions recovered in severance and benefits
- ✔️ No win, no fee — you don’t pay unless we succeed
- ✔️ 3,000+ 5-star Google reviews
- ✔️ Named one of Canada’s Best Law Firms by The Globe and Mail
Consult your union representative about termination, severance, and workplace issues. These are coverd under your collective bargaining agreement, and employment lawyerss can’t represent unionized employees for these matters.
Key resources for PwC employees
- Severance for provincially regulated employees
- Severance pay by company
- Severance packages in mass layoffs
- Termination for cause: Why severance may still be owed
- Wrongful Dismissal: What it is and how to respond
- Employment rights when a business closes
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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