Ontario College Employees Face Unprecedented Job Terminations

Ontario’s post-secondary sector is experiencing significant upheaval, with institutions like Mohawk College, Sheridan College, and Fleming College implementing substantial job cuts and program suspensions. These measures, driven by declining enrolments and federal caps on international students, have profound implications for college employees. Understanding your rights and options during this period is crucial, and consulting an employment lawyer can provide essential guidance.

The Impact of Job and Program Cuts on Ontario College Employees

The recent workforce reductions across Ontario colleges stem from financial challenges, enrolment declines, and changes in federal immigration policies. For example, Mohawk College plans to lay off 200 to 400 workers due to a projected $50 million deficit. Similarly, Sheridan College is suspending 40 programs, leading to staff reductions, and Fleming College has suspended 29 programs, citing adverse effects from significant external events. These actions affect not only those directly laid off but also employees facing increased workloads and job insecurity.

Key challenges for employees include:

Unclear Termination Rights: Employees may be uncertain about their entitlements concerning notice periods, severance pay, and termination packages.

Restructuring Stress: Remaining staff may experience heightened workloads and anxiety over job stability.

Program Closures: Faculty and staff associated with discontinued programs may need to transition to new roles or face unemployment.

Union Considerations: Navigating collective agreements can complicate termination and severance issues for unionized employees.

What to Do if You Are Affected by Job Cuts

If you are impacted by these changes, taking proactive steps can help protect your rights and ensure fair treatment:

Review Your Employment Agreement: Examine your employment contract, collective agreement (if applicable), and related policies to understand your entitlements during layoffs or terminations.

Understand Voluntary Packages: During restructuring, colleges may offer voluntary exit or severance packages. Evaluate these offers carefully before accepting, as they may not fully reflect your entitlements.

Consult a Lawyer Before Signing Anything: Employers may require employees to sign a release to accept severance or voluntary packages. Consulting an employment lawyer ensures you fully understand your rights before agreeing to any terms.

Understanding Voluntary Packages

Voluntary exit packages can provide a financial safety net during organizational restructuring. However, they are not always as beneficial as they appear. Key considerations include:

Severance Entitlements: Ensure the package meets or exceeds your minimum entitlements under the Employment Standards Act (ESA) and, if applicable, common law reasonable notice.

Tax Implications: Lump-sum payments can have tax consequences. An employment lawyer can help you understand these impacts.

Release of Rights: By signing a package, you may waive your right to pursue further claims. Evaluate whether the offer sufficiently compensates you for potential long-term impacts.

How an Employment Lawyer Can Help

An experienced employment lawyer can provide tailored legal advice to help you face job cuts and protect your rights. Here’s how they can assist:

Evaluate Termination Packages: A lawyer can review termination offers to ensure compliance with the ESA and your employment contract. They can also assess whether you are entitled to additional severance under common law.

Negotiate Better Outcomes: Employers often start with minimal offers. A skilled employment lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair severance package, voluntary exit agreement, or alternative resolution.

Protect Your Rights: If you feel pressured to accept an unfair package or suspect that layoffs were conducted in bad faith, a lawyer can advocate for your rights and pursue legal action if necessary.

Clarify Unionized Entitlements: If you are part of a union, your collective agreement may provide specific protections and entitlements. An employment lawyer can help you understand how these apply to your situation and work alongside your union representation.

Plan for the Future: Beyond immediate concerns, a lawyer can help you address restrictive covenants, non-compete clauses, or other post-employment obligations that may limit your career options.

Conclusion: Empower Yourself with Knowledge and Legal Support

Job cuts and program closures at Ontario colleges have created significant challenges for employees, but understanding your rights and seeking legal advice can provide clarity and security. Whether you’re considering a voluntary package, negotiating severance, or addressing workplace restructuring, an employment lawyer can help protect your interests and guide you through the complexities of employment law.

If your employment has been impacted by changes at Ontario colleges, don’t face it alone. Consult an experienced employment lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and to achieve the best possible outcome for your future.

Contact Achkar Law

Phone: 1 (800) 771-7882
Email: [email protected]

Facing Job Loss or Voluntary Resignation? Contact Achkar Law for Guidance

If you are being asked to voluntarily resign or retire from your position, or if you are facing job loss with an offered incentive, it’s important to understand your rights. Achkar Law can help ensure that you are properly compensated and that your transition is handled fairly. Don’t make any decisions without speaking to an employment lawyer first.

Curtis R

I had to update my review. After conversation with Charles,I can say they do care about their clients and take care of and issues that might arise.He is friendly and very fair, I'm thankful we resolved our minor misunderstanding, and will proceed in a positive manner..Cheers Charles 🍻

Response from the owner: Dear Curtis,Thank you for your message. I wanted to address the concerns you recently shared regarding our services. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and I appreciate the opportunity to clarify our approach and commitment to our clients.First and foremost, please know that we deeply care about each of our clients and are committed to providing the highest level of service. Our team strives to approach every case with empathy, diligence, and a genuine desire to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.Regarding your specific case, our dedicated team conducted a thorough investigation into your situation. Through our work together, we were able to identify alternative avenues that could potentially allow you to advance your claim through civil court and administrative processes despite the obstacles you faced.We continue to be ready to help, but we just can't eliminate risk from cases and have to deal with the facts of every situation as they present themselves.I am personally happy to discuss this further with you. Please email me at [email protected] and I'd be happy to discuss this more.Kind regards,Chris

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F Lauw

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I recently had a consultation with Charlie Millar, and I must say, the experience from start to finish was outstanding. From the initial contact with the company to accommodating an urgent call, everything was handled seamlessly. Charles was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, showing a clear understanding of my situation. I'm thoroughly impressed and will definitely reach out to him for any future inquiries

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I had a consultation with an employment lawyer and it went so well. Leading up to the meeting the clerk was responsive, informative and helpful; not to mention very polite. When I had the opportunity to sit with the lawyer she was friendly, attentive, and very well educated. She gave me honest answers to all my questions and provided me with all my options very clearly. It was a pleasure to talk with her and it made me feel a lot better about my situation. She calmed me down and made me feel heard and that I am not alone.I would recommend them to others.

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Christopher was extremely supportive during a transitional period at my workplace. Together, we explored my options, and his guidance was consistently insightful. I had an outstanding experience and would certainly enlist his services again anytime in the future.

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I had spoken with Mariel. She was really sympathetic and made everything easy to understand. Calmed my nerves and explained everything fully.

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I had the pleasure of working with Chris regarding a severance package. He was thorough, asked great questions, and made sure things I hadn't thought about were covered and that I was being treated fairly. In addition to being happy with the quality of Chris' work, he was kind and even asked about my daughter. He clearly cares about people and that value came through in our conversations which I appreciated.

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My first consultation meeting with associate lawyer Mariel was very positive and helpful. I really appreciated her questions, empathy, listening, and expertise and advice she was able to give even at the very beginning of my file. If my work situation doesn't improve, I do look forward to working with Mariel and the Achkar Law firm team to tackle the issues.