Today we are talking about a subject that is far from being the most fun in the world: layoffs in North America! If I mention North America, it’s because there are big differences between what we can experience in France and the reality here. I lived the experience twice, both times in very different ways. Let’s go back together on these 2 experiences which, although a little scary, are part of the reality of the working world here and of which we have to be aware.
In this first article on the topic, I talk to you about how the dismissal process goes. Really hope I can help you to live through this stage as well as possible if you are ever confronted with it!
Let’s start at the beginning: what is a layoff?
Even though I think a lot of people know what it is, it doesn’t hurt to do a little reminder to make sure we’re all on the same page. A layoff is the termination of a permanent employment contract at the initiative of the employer. In France we call it a permanent contract, a CDI.
What are the reasons for termination?
In France, layoff is highly regulated. There are 2 main reasons: economic and for personal reasons. Following a serious fault or disagreements/bad results for example. There are many stages and the dismissal can take weeks. Or even months before it becomes effective.
In Canada, the reasons for layoffs are more flexible and, above all, quicker. The reasons often include restructuring. A drop in activity or a lack of results. Legally, your employer must give you written notice 2 weeks before your last day of work. In practice the day of the announcement is often your last day and you are paid for the 2 weeks without having to be present at your workplace. More information on the Canada.ca website.
Layoffs in France vs Canada
France
In France, redundancy is perceived as more serious than in Canada. Mainly because it is often the result of a long and trying battle between an employer and an employee and is synonymous with a problem that has not been resolved, that it is often the last card to be played and is therefore experienced as a failure. The CDI being seen in France as job security leaving a job without having decided to do so is less common than in North America. It is important to note for our French-speaking friends who would pass by and who would not be familiar with the labour law in France: in France we have the conventional breach of contract (in French: rupture conventionnelle) which allows an employer and an employee to decide by mutual agreement to separate. Obviously, there is also a very strict framework, several letters, appointments and compensation. The advantage is that unlike a resignation, the employee will be able to claim unemployment rights.
Canada
In Canada this notion of job security does not exist. Having a permanent job doesn’t protect you from a surprise dismissal. Layoffs in North America are common enough to be less scary. It is an experience that everyone will live at least once in their working life. Take the test around you, many of my Canadian friends have experienced it at least once. It must also be said that the Canadian job market is more attractive than in France (the notice period is 2 weeks when you leave a job, it allows you to have a turn over much faster), the duration to find a job afterwards is therefore often faster. One less anxiety. The fact that everyone is fairly relaxed and not at all bothered by the notion of dismissal here takes away a bit of the sense of shame and failure that one might feel.
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There is also a difference in the way it is presented. In French we talk about being fired. Whereas in English in the case of a dismissal other than for serious misconduct we will not say that we were fired. But that “they let me go”. It is important to note the nuance.
My Layoff Experience in Canada
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I was “lucky” to be part of an 8-person restructuring plan, so I didn’t take anything personally. I was a number in an Excel spreadsheet, nothing more, nothing less. There is no point in extrapolating and imagining this or that scenario.
The day of my second experience of layoffs in North America
After 2 hours (which seemed like 20 minutes to me) I already knew that this dismissal was a bad for a good. I had been dreaming of a freelance life for years. Fate had just brought it to me on a platter. I’ll explain why it was surely the best thing that could happen to me a little lower in my advice to bounce back (finally it will be in a second article)!
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I was very well surrounded and a few hours later I was on the terrace drinking cocktails in good company. In the evening I was eating ice cream on my terrace. The first 2 nights were a bit hectic, I was thinking about the files I hadn’t finished. It takes a little time for the brain to understand that this is no longer our problem and to detach itself from our old reality.
Namely that you can’t say anything, you can’t get in touch with your colleagues until the official announcement has been made internally. But after that I received a huge outpouring of support and that counts for a lot.
The day of my fist experience of layoffs in North America
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I will finish with my first experience took place in August 2017, 6 months after coming back to Canada. There were 2 of us on a project, my colleague was fired effective immediately on Monday. I spent the whole day panicking that I was going to be there too. Except that I was not told until the next day. I was told about the possibility of having to let me go, that they were looking for solutions. A few days later the decision was made that they no longer had the project and therefore no more work for me.
This time I was really scared. Between you and me the few days between the announcement and my last day I was doing some presence and I was working on my CV to find a job as soon as possible. I mean between you and me. They knew about it. But what I mean is that once you’re fired they can’t do much more so you think about yourself and bounce back. I didn’t know anything about unemployment. I didn’t want to know my options at all, I wanted to work. Quickly I found a job in a call center in a bank in 2 weeks (yes the bank where half of the French worked haha). I wasn’t looking for the job of my dreams, I was looking for a way to insure myself financially. It lasted 3 weeks before I left for another job (it’s often the case when you apply everywhere, you get a few more weeks, months, and sometimes you get better offers that fall).
And concretely, how is the layoff in Canada?
- You are received by human resources who explain the situation, explain the reason, give you documents to sign (you have a deadline to bring back the signed documents, nothing to sign on the spot).
- At the same time, you also receive information about your severance pay. I invite you to read the details in the article on the Canada site here. You will learn more about the compensation to which you are entitled according to your seniority. You will be paid the 2 weeks of notice plus a possible “package” depending on the company.
- Your ROE (Record of Employment) will be sent to Service Canada to start your unemployment registration (some companies do this automatically, others give it to you and you will have to submit it).
- You must turn in your badge, keys, computers, telephones etc.
- You must wait for the official announcement before you can exchange with your former colleagues.
- You have a few days to sign the documents, you can choose to get help from a lawyer (depending on your position, your seniority and the amount of your potential compensation it is even recommended to get help from a lawyer). This is the time to negotiate.
After the layoff?
First, get a deep breath. I know that depending on the situation and the visas, a dismissal can really upset all your plans and call into question your immigration, your life here. Despite this, you will quickly feel that for Canadians there is no reason to panic. I remember my roommate after my first layoff: “It’s good that you’re going to have time to rest”. I was at the end of my rope, I was panicking about not being able to pay my rent and she was talking about resting. For me it was just unthinkable. But in the end, even though I didn’t really understand her reaction at the time. It helped me more than if she had panicked and added a dose of anguish to what already seemed like a pretty shitty situation.
Unemployment following the layoff?
It’s important to know that you’re entitled to unemployment even in WHV. You are entitled to unemployment. Two things to check: you have enough accumulated and are legally entitled to work. Unemployment has a ceiling of $500 a week or $2,000 a month. The calculation of the beginning of your unemployment is based on your 2 weeks’ notice + the package you received + one week’s waiting period. The duration will depend on how long you worked before. As always I encourage you to check the information in your province. As I am speaking from my experience in Ontario.
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I had planned to talk about how to bounce back. How to regain self-confidence and a lot of other things about what happens afterwards. But once again I talked a lot (too much?) and the article is probably already quite long. So we’ll see you in an episode 2 more focused on what happens afterwards. Is that ok with you? If you have any specific questions, take advantage of writing me in the comments.
There are several possible situations for layoffs in North America. Here I’m talking about the 2 of mine which were quite simple. Obviously each case is different and you may need more help. If needed, you can get closer to the Francophone centre in Toronto, for example.
In the meantime, we’ll see you on Instagram for your daily dose of life in Toronto!
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