Take-Two Layoffs: ‘Grand Theft Auto’ maker cutting 5% of staff

What’s happening at Take-Two?

Take-Two Interactive Software (Take-Two), the company behind the “Grand Theft Auto” video game franchise, is cutting approximately five per cent of its workforce, or 600 jobs.

According to news outlets, including Reuters, the layoffs are part of a cost-reduction plan — expected to result in total charges of up to $200 million.

In addition to scaling back its staffing levels, Take-Two is scrapping several projects.

The company refused to name the projects that have been cancelled.

SEE ALSO
• Relic Entertainment eliminating 41 positions following Sega split
• Ubisoft laying off 45 workers to enhance ‘collective efficiency’
• Microsoft slashing 1,900 Activision Blizzard and Xbox jobs

Impact on Canadian staff

It remains unclear if Canadian employees are affected by the latest reduction at Take-Two.

According to the company’s LinkedIn page, it has more than 50 workers in the country.

Termination agreements for Take-Two employees

In Canada, non-unionized employees at Take-Two 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 what rights employees have if they are being fired or let go 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 for video game sector staff
• Severance packages during mass layoffs

Major tech layoffs continue

The job cuts at Take-Two come amid a flurry of tech sector layoffs in 2024.

Big names, including IBM Canada, Netflix, Amazon, Intel, Lightspeed, Dell, Cisco, Mozilla, Instacart, BlackBerry, Grammarly, DocuSign, Snap, Zoom, Okta, and PayPal, have also pulled out the axe as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.

SEE ALSO
• SAP Canada Layoffs: Staff in Vancouver and Montreal affected
• Boundless Learning laying off 15% across company: 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.