Rivian Layoffs in April: 1% of workforce axed as EV demand cools

What’s happening at Rivian?

After slashing salaried positions in February, Rivian has reportedly pulled out the axe again — eliminating approximately one per cent of its workforce.

“This was a difficult decision, but a necessary one to support our goal to be gross margin positive by the end of the year,” the electric vehicle (EV) maker said in an email to Reuters.

The latest reduction highlights Rivian’s ongoing struggle to scale production and reduce losses in a market that has shown decreasing enthusiasm for EVs.

SEE ALSO
• Tesla slashing more than 10% of staff amid sales slump
• Ford delays EVs in Oakville to 2027, extends layoffs
• Bolt eliminates 29% of staff, second reduction of the year

Impact on Canadian staff

It remains unclear if any Canadian employees at Rivian have been let go.

According to the company’s LinkedIn page, it has more than 240 workers in the country.

Termination agreements for Rivian employees

In Canada, non-unionized employees at Rivian are owed full severance pay when they lose their jobs due to downsizing, corporate restructuring, or the closure of the business.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.

People working “on contract” or as a contractor may also be owed severance pay — given that many employees in Canada are often misclassified as independent contractors.

Severance can be as much as 24 months’ pay, depending on a number of factors.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains why you are still owed severance if you have been downsized on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Before accepting a severance offer, double-check the amount using our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their entitlements.

In addition to your salary, make sure to factor in any other elements of your compensation (i.e. bonuses, commission, etc.).

If your employer’s offer falls short of what our Severance Pay Calculator says you are owed, it’s very likely that you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Non-unionized employees in Canada have up to two years from the date of their dismissal to pursue proper severance pay.

LEARN MORE
• Severance pay for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance during mass layoffs
• Severance entitlements in a recession

Major layoffs continue

The latest round of job cuts at Rivian comes amid a flurry of layoffs in 2024.

Big names, including Take-Two Interactive, SAP Canada, IBM Canada, Netflix, McKinsey & Co, EXL Service, Best Buy, Relic Entertainment, Ubisoft, Intel, Amazon, Telus, and Canada Goose, have scaled back their staffing levels as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.

SEE ALSO
• Shell to lay off 20% of deals division, part of restructuring
• Walmart Canada cuts jobs amid restructuring, shift to Spark: Reports
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Talk to an employment lawyer

If you have been fired or let go for any reason, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have successfully represented tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals.

In addition to severance package negotiations, we can assist you on a broad range of employment matters, including:

If you are a non-unionized employee who needs help with a workplace issue, contact us or call 1-855-821-5900 to get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.