11 ServiceOntario centres closing, locations opening in Staples: Employee rights

The Ontario government is planning to close some ServiceOntario locations and move them to kiosks inside Staples and Walmart stores.

This decision, which has been confirmed by a spokesperson for Premier Doug Ford, is part of a pilot project aimed at streamlining operations and delivering services in a more cost-effective way.

Additional Changes: The closures are seen as a way to reduce the overhead costs of operating and staffing at traditional ServiceOntario locations.

Factors such as store size, parking availability, and willingness to participate have been considered in the decision-making process.

• The province expects the transition to Staples kiosks to improve accessibility and extend service hours by about 30 per cent.
• Employees from the closing ServiceOntario locations will be given opportunities to work at the new kiosks.
• There are concerns from the NDP and Green Party about the impact on service delivery, particularly in rural areas, and the perceived privatization of public services.
• Some believe it could lead to increased delays and inconvenience for Ontarians needing to access services like health card and driver’s license renewals.

Which locations are closing?

The following 11 ServiceOntario locations will be closing:

• Toronto Leaside
• Windsor East
• London South
• Newmarket
• Mississauga West
• Strathroy
• Tillsonburg
• Welland
• Keswick
• Hamilton
• Stoney Creek

According to news outlets, including CTV News, Ontarians will be able to access in-person government services at Staples Canada retail stores in Scarborough, Newmarket, Oakville, Strathrow, Tillsonburg, and Welland as of Feb. 1.

Severance pay for non-unionized ServiceOntario employees

Non-unionized employees at ServiceOntario can get up to 24 months of severance pay when they are fired or laid off from their job.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, and hourly in the province.

Severance is the compensation that non-unionized workers in Canada receive from their employer when they are fired without cause.

Even if you are fired for cause in Ontario, it’s very likely that you are still entitled to full severance pay because employees often don’t meet the conditions necessary for this type of dismissal.

LEARN MORE
• Severance pay for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance for federally regulated workers
• Severance packages during mass layoffs

Regardless of a company’s grasp on employment law, they are legally required to provide proper compensation following a termination.

This concept applies even during the closure of a location or office (as in ServiceOntario’s case), during challenging economic conditions, downsizing, or major public health events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains everything you need to know about severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

The employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP have represented tens of thousands of employees over the years in severance package negotiations.

• LEARN MORE: Severance pay by company

We have successfully secured much larger amounts for individuals employed across a variety of positions, from entry level jobs to executives.

Severance pay for unionized employees

If you are a unionized employee in Canada, you must consult your union for guidance on severance pay.

This is because the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the union and your employer outlines these terms.

Only your union, not an employment lawyer, is responsible for representing you in such matters.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP doesn’t provide employment law consultations or representation for unionized employees in Canada.

• NOTE: If you are a unionized worker, and your long-term disability (LTD) claim has been denied, we might be able to help.

How to properly calculate severance pay

Employers often incorrectly calculate severance pay. There is a belief that severance pay is one week’s pay, two weeks’ pay, or a week for every year of service an employee has with the company.

For non-unionized employees, the main factors of termination or severance pay include age, length of service, position, bonuses, benefits, and the ability to find new work.

To figure out how much compensation you may be entitled to, use our firm’s Pocket Employment Lawyer.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Severance Pay in Ontario
• Alberta severance packages
• Understanding severance in B.C.
• Layoffs in Canada

Don’t sign on the dotted line!

Do not accept any severance offer, termination papers, or exit agreement provided by your employer.

Once you sign back these documents, you eliminate your ability to negotiate a fair and proper severance package.

Generally speaking, if an employee doesn’t receive the proper amount of severance pay when they lose their job, it’s possible that they have been wrongfully dismissed.

An employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can review your situation and explain how much compensation you are legally entitled to.

Can my employer make changes to my job?

In Ontario, non-unionized employees don’t have to accept substantial changes to their job that their employer might try to enforce.

Major modifications, such as a new work location, a change to your duties, a demotion, longer shifts, or reduced pay, are illegal.

When significant adjustments are made to the terms of your employment without your consent, there is a very good chance that you can treat it as a constructive dismissal.

In this situation, the law allows you to quit your job and pursue full severance pay.

If you believe that you have been constructively dismissed, don’t resign before contacting our firm.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Can my employer make changes to my job in Ontario?
• Job changes in Alberta: What employees need to know
• Changes to your employment in B.C.: Your rights

Talk to an employment lawyer

The knowledgeable team of Ontario employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals across the country.

In addition to severance package negotiations, our lawyers have experience securing solutions for the following employment matters:

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. stand ready to help you solve your workplace issues.

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