Employment Law

Standard BioTools Layoffs: September 2025 Update + Severance Rights

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What’s Happening at Standard BioTools?

On September 13, 2025, Standard BioTools confirmed a company-wide restructuring plan that includes cutting approximately 15% of its global workforce, according to a statement filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The cuts come as the South San Francisco-based life sciences firm, formerly known as Fluidigm, faces mounting financial pressure and works to streamline its operations, reports Investing.com. The life sciences technology company has struggled with a high cash burn rate, even as it maintains a strong balance sheet with more cash than debt and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.

Standard BioTools said the layoffs are part of a broader effort to improve operational efficiency and bring costs in line with current revenue expectations. The restructuring is expected to cost the company approximately $7.5 million, primarily in severance and termination-related benefits.

Are More Cuts Ahead?

While the September 2025 announcement is the first confirmed workforce reduction this year, the company has acknowledged that additional restructuring-related costs may arise. The SEC filing notes that actual expenses could differ from projections and that the company may face future operational changes depending on financial performance.


Are Standard BioTools Layoffs Affecting Canada?

Yes. Standard BioTools employees affected by layoffs are contacting Samfiru Tumarkin LLP for advice on their severance packages. The medical tech manufacturer employs more than 900 people globally, with many working out of its Canadian operations in Markham, Ontario.

🔍 For a broader view of recent cuts at companies across Canada, visit our regularly updated Layoff Tracker.

If you’re a Canadian Standard BioTools employee, you may be facing

  • Layoff notices with unclear or unfair severance terms
  • Buyout or exit packages that undervalue your rights
  • Reassignment to lower-paid roles or pressure to resign (constructive dismissal)

Do Standard BioTools Employees Get Severance Pay?

Yes. If you are a non-unionized Standard BioTools employee in Canada, you are owed up to 24 months’ pay as severance.

Severance pay in Canada should include:

  • Salary
  • Bonuses or commissions
  • Pension & benefits contributions
  • Stock options, RSUs, or incentive pay
  • Vacation pay and allowances
⚠️ Don’t assume the company’s first offer reflects your rights. Many employers only offer minimum severance, which is far less than common law severance — which you are also entitled to.

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Can Standard BioTools Reduce My Pay or Reassign My Role Instead of Laying Me Off?

Yes, but it may qualify as constructive dismissal in Canada.

If Standard BioTools:

  • Cuts your pay or bonuses
  • Reduces your responsibilities
  • Reassigns you to a new role you didn’t agree to
  • Forces you to relocate

You may treat this as a termination without cause and claim full severance pay.

📌 Don’t Sign Anything! Talk to an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP before accepting changes.

How Do I Know If My Standard BioTools Severance Package is Fair?

Your severance depends on factors like your age, position, length of service, and job market conditions.

⚠️ If you’re pressured to accept quickly, be cautious. You may be leaving months of pay on the table.

How We’ve Helped in Layoffs

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve secured major severance wins for employees at banks, insurers, and global firms:

  • ✅ 24 months’ severance for a long-term professional after refusing unfair new terms post-acquisition. See our win →
  • 6 months’ severance for a short-term executive pressured to sign an unfair release after termination. See our win →
  • 4 months’ severance for an employee terminated after just eight months in a senior role. See our win →

Our clients are surprised at how much they’re legally owed to after they’ve been wrongfully dismissed — and legal fees are often covered by the employer.


FAQs on Standard BioTools Layoffs

👉 Can My Employment Contract Limit Severance?
Not usually — most termination clauses in contracts are unenforceable under Canadian Law.

👉 Are Temporary Layoffs Legal?
For non-unionized workers, a temporary layoff often amounts to termination, requiring severance pay.

👉 Do Contractors Qualify For Severance?
Yes, if you are an employee misclassified as an independent contractor, or a dependent contractor.

👉 How Long Do I Have to Claim Severance?
You have up to two years from your termination date.

👉 Can I Be Let Go During Maternity or Disability Leave?
No. Termination during protected leaves is discriminatory and illegal.

Lost Your Job at Standard BioTools? Get Legal Help Now

If Standard BioTools fires you, pressures you into resigning, or cuts your pay, don’t sign anything before speaking to an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

🛡️ We Know Severance
Our employment lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and BC help non-unionized employees — including Standard BioTools staff — win fair severance. Many cases qualify for our no win, no fee contingency arrangement.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we have:

  • 👥 Represented 50,000+ Canadians
  • 💰 Secured millions in severance payouts
  • ⚖️ Settled over 99% of cases out of court
  • 📱 Free Termination Consultations — in many, but not all, cases
  • ⭐ Earned 3,000+ 5-star Google reviews
  • 🏆 Named on of Canada’s Best Law Firms

📞 Call us at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

⚠️ Unionized?
You must go through your union. By law, employment lawyers can’t represent unionized employees — only your union can.

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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.

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Consult with Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. We are one of Canada's most experienced and trusted employment, labour and disability law firms. Take advantage of our years of experience and success in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.

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