Free estimate · Ontario & British Columbia

Severance Pay Calculator

Estimate your statutory minimum under the Employment Standards Act and your likely common-law severance range, based on the same factors courts use.

This calculator is for non-unionized workplaces. If you are in a unionized job, your rights come from your collective agreement and the grievance and arbitration process, not the common-law severance estimated here, so this tool will not reflect your situation.

Are you the employee or the employer?

Province

Age at termination Enter an age between 18 and 80.

How many years have you worked for this organization? (in years; decimals OK, e.g. 7.5) Enter length of service in years (0 to 60).

Job category Please select your job category.

Annual base salary (CAD, pre-tax)

Enter your annual base salary.

Typical annual bonus (optional)

Employer payroll size (Ontario payroll)

Termination type

Do you have a signed employment contract?

A signed contract may include a termination clause that caps severance at the ESA minimum - but many such clauses are unenforceable. Read: When is a termination clause unenforceable in Ontario?

Have you signed a release?

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First name Please enter your first name.

Email we will email your results here Please enter a valid email address.

"For cause" allegations rarely hold up

With-cause allegations rarely succeed in court. Most "for cause" terminations end up being treated as without cause - which means you may be owed full severance. Have a lawyer review the allegations before you accept anything.

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You've signed a release

If you've already signed a release, this calculator does not apply. There may still be options - speak with us.

Speak with a lawyer →

Resignations usually don't attract severance

If you resigned voluntarily, severance generally isn't owed. But if you felt forced out - pay cut, demotion, hostile treatment - that may be a constructive dismissal, which does. Select "Constructive dismissal" above if that fits, or talk to us.

Under 3 months of service

Under Ontario law, employees with under 3 months of service do not have ESA notice entitlements. You may still have common-law claims, particularly if you were induced to leave another job.

ESA statutory minimum $0

Your common-law severance range

What courts typically award based on your age, role, and length of service - usually well above the ESA minimum.

Low

Mid

High

What this means for you

This is an estimate based on common Bardal-factor patterns. Actual entitlements depend on the specific facts, your employment contract, and whether mitigation reduces your claim. Have a lawyer review your situation before relying on these numbers.