Ubisoft Layoffs: What’s Happening, Who’s Affected & Severance Rights in Canada

Ubisoft has cut 40 jobs at its Toronto studio as part of a broader cost-saving initiative.

“This decision was not taken lightly and does not in any way reflect the talent, dedication, or contributions of the individuals affected,” the video game giant told MobileSyrup in a statement.

“Our priority now is to support [impacted staff] through this transition with comprehensive severance packages and robust career placement assistance.”

• SEE ALSO: “Unacceptable Demotion”: Former Assassin’s Creed Boss Suing Ubisoft for $1.3M

This page explains:

• What’s happening with Ubisoft layoffs
• Who’s most affected
• Whether a layoff at Ubisoft is permanent
• How much severance Ubisoft employees in Canada may be owed
• What to do before signing a severance offer

Ubisoft Layoffs: A Timeline of Recent Job Cuts

Ubisoft has experienced multiple restructuring cycles in recent years — affecting Canadian operations.

• June 2024: Ubisoft is laying off 33 employees at its Toronto studio as part of a targeted realignment.
• April 2024: Ubisoft has cut 45 jobs in its “Global Publishing central” and “APAC structures” to enhance the company’s “collective efficiency.”
• Nov. 2023: Ubisoft has eliminated 124 jobs as it reorganizes its Canadian studios. 98 of the affected positions were based in Canada.

Who’s Affected by the Latest Ubisoft Layoffs?

The specific roles affected by the latest round of job cuts remains unclear. With a staff of roughly 500, Ubisoft Toronto is one of the company’s largest video game developers.

Ubisoft is a provincially regulated employer — meaning most non-unionized employees are governed provincial employment standards, not the Canada Labour Code.

Are Ubisoft Layoffs Temporary or Permanent?

For non-unionized employees at Ubisoft, a layoff is almost always treated as a termination without cause, even if the following language is used:

• “Restructuring”
• “Reorganization”
• “Transformation”
• “Temporary layoff”

Unless your employment contract explicitly allows for Ubisoft to temporarily lay you off, the company can’t place you on indefinite layoff without terminating your employment — meaning they must provide full severance pay.

Severance Pay for Ubisoft Staff

In Canada, non-unionized employees, including those at Ubisoft, are often owed far more severance pay than what’s outlined in their initial offer.

Severance is based on common law entitlements, not just minimum standards. Factors include:

• Age
• Length of service
• Position and seniority
• Availability of comparable jobs

In many cases, Ubisoft employees in Canada can be owed up to 24 months of compensation.

Severance may include:

• Base salary
• Continued benefits
• Bonus and incentive compensation
• Stock, equity, or RRSP contributions (where applicable)
• Vacation pay
• Other earned compensation

First offers often:

• Cover only minimum entitlements
• Exclude bonuses or incentives
• Impose short signing deadlines
• Undervalue long-service or senior employees

Severance Offers: Common Problems

Canadian employees affected by layoffs frequently report issues such as:

• Severance offers far below legal entitlements
• Missing or unclear compensation breakdowns
• Benefits cut off too early
• Bonuses excluded without justification
• “Temporary layoff” language used improperly
• Pressure to sign within 24–48 hours

Wrongful Dismissal and Ubisoft Layoffs

A wrongful dismissal occurs when major employers, including Ubisoft, fail to provide full severance required under common law.

You may have a claim if:

• Your severance offer is too low
• A termination clause isn’t enforceable
• You were pressured to accept your severance offer on the spot
• Bonuses or benefits were excluded from your severance package
• You were terminated while on medical, parental, or disability leave
• Ubisoft labelled your termination a “temporary layoff” without contractual authority

Large-scale layoffs at Ubisoft don’t reduce their legal obligations in Canada.

Laid Off at Ubisoft? Next Steps

If you’ve been laid off at Ubisoft:

1. Don’t sign your severance offer immediately
2. Gather your employment contract, bonus plans, and benefits information
3. Use the Severance Pay Calculator to double-check your entitlements
4. Keep records of your role, compensation, and length of service
5. Speak with an employment lawyer before agreeing to anything

Ubisoft Layoffs: Frequently Asked Questions

How much severance can Ubisoft employees receive?

Up to 24 months — depending on age, service, and position.

Are Ubisoft layoffs permanent?

For non-unionized employees, yes. A layoff is typically a termination.

Does Ubisoft have to include bonuses in severance?

Often yes — especially if bonuses were a regular part of compensation.

Can Ubisoft terminate employees on leave?

This can raise serious wrongful dismissal and human rights issues.

Can employment lawyers represent unionized Ubisoft staff?

No. Unionized employees at Ubisoft must go through their union.

Lost Your Job at Ubisoft? Get Help Now

If Ubisoft has laid you off, or offered a severance/buyout package, don’t do anything before seeking legal advice.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, one of Canada’s most reviewed employment law firms, has helped more than 50,000 Canadians secure the compensation they’re legally entitled to.

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.