Employment Law Show: Alberta & B.C. – S6 E12

Episode Summary

Are construction workers owed severance? Can you be placed on a layoff as a result of the pandemic? Employment Lawyer Lior Samfiru, Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP answers those questions and more on the Employment Law Show. 

LISTEN BELOW to Western Canada’s only radio show about your employment rights in the workplace, every Sunday at 4 p.m. PT on 980 CKNW in Vancouver, and 5 p.m. MT on 770 CHQR in Calgary and 640 CHED in Edmonton, as the show takes calls from listeners and provide vital answers to employees and employers.

Listen to the Episode

Show Notes

• Laid off and then construction employee’s company was sold: Employees are mistakenly told that they are not owed severance pay if they work in construction. Construction workers are owed severance pay in Canada if they lose employment. Severance pay in Alberta and B.C. is based on age, length of service as well as position. It is important for employees upon termination to seek advice from an employment lawyer.
• Placed on a temporary layoff as a result of COVID-19: Despite the pandemic, employers do not have the right to place employees on a temporary layoff unless agreed upon at the start of employment. Employees on a layoff can accept the layoff or treat it as termination and pursue their rights to severance.
• Employees not given vacation upon resignation: Employers are obligated to pay employees their vacation pay after a resignation has taken place. It is illegal to withhold vacation pay upon resignation. The liability for failing to pay an employee rests with the employer and owner of the company.

Need an employment lawyer?

• Pocket Employment Lawyer: Before you call a lawyer, use the Pocket Employment Lawyer to find out if you might have a case. 
• Severance Pay Calculator: Discover how much severance pay you should get when you lose your job, used successfully by nearly 2 million Canadians. 
• Watch our TV Shows: Get further clarity on your rights by watching our popular TV show episodes.