--- title: Lay-Off Lawyer Calgary canonical_url: https://tzlawyers.ca/layoff-lawyer last_updated: 2026-08-19T21:51:36-04:00 plugin_version: 1.2.2 --- # Lay-Off Lawyer Calgary Laid Off in Calgary? Know Your Rights Before You Sign Anything -------------------------------------------------------------- The recent wave of Calgary layoffs and downsizing in Calgary and throughout the Alberta oil and gas energy sector continues to affect employees across the province. If you have been laid off or terminated in the latest round of Calgary layoffs, we can help. Do not sign a severance package until you understand what you are truly owed. TZ Law is a trusted [employment law firm](https://tzlawyers.ca/) based in Calgary, Alberta, with a strong track record of representing employees who have been laid off or terminated. As an experienced Calgary layoff lawyer firm, we regularly handle wrongful dismissal, wrongful termination, unjust dismissal, constructive dismissal, and[ human rights claims](https://tzlawyers.ca/human-rights-lawyer/). We understand the financial uncertainty and emotional toll that come with losing your job, and we are committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve. Our team represents and advises employees in Alberta regarding all aspects of employment law, including Calgary layoffs, oil and gas layoffs, energy layoffs, Alberta layoffs, temporary layoffs, permanent layoffs, employee terminations,[ wrongful dismissal claims](https://tzlawyers.ca/wrongful-dismissal-lawyer/), wrongful termination claims, [constructive dismissal claims](https://tzlawyers.ca/constructive-dismissal-lawyer/), severance pay, and severance packages. As a layoff lawyer serving Calgary and the surrounding region, TZ Law provides practical, results-driven counsel that protects your rights and your livelihood. What Counts as a Layoff Under Alberta and BC Employment Law? A layoff occurs when an employer temporarily or permanently reduces or eliminates an employee's position or hours of work, usually for business-related reasons such as economic downturns, restructuring, or reduced demand. Under[ Alberta's Employment Standards Code](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.alberta.ca/temporary-layoff) and British Columbia's Employment Standards Act, employers must comply with strict rules when laying off employees. Common situations include:1. You were given little or no advance notice of the layoff. 2. You were offered a severance package that seems too low for your years of service. 3. Your employer is calling the termination a "temporary layoff" to avoid paying proper severance. 4. You are being pressured to sign a release quickly, sometimes within days of receiving it. 5. You believe the layoff was motivated by discrimination, a human rights violation, or retaliation. Temporary Layoff vs. Termination -------------------------------- **Feature** **Temporary Layoff** **Termination** **Intent** Employer intends to recall the employee within a defined period. Employment relationship is permanently ended. **Duration** In Alberta, the layoff must not exceed 90 days in a 120-day period. Employer must provide reasonable notice or severance pay. **Benefits** Employee typically retains benefits during the layoff period. Benefits usually cease on the termination date. **Legal Status** If the layoff exceeds the limit, it automatically becomes a termination. Employee may be owed common law reasonable notice. It is important to note that at common law, employers in Alberta generally do not have the right to temporarily lay off an employee unless there is an express or implied term in the employment contract that permits it. A temporary layoff lawyer at TZ Law can help you determine whether your employer had the legal right to place you on a temporary layoff and what remedies are available to you. Severance Pay in Calgary — What You May Actually Be Owed Many employees who are laid off or terminated in Calgary are surprised to learn that the severance package their employer offered is far less than what they are legally entitled to receive.#### 1. Statutory Minimums Under the Employment Standards Code The[ Government of Alberta](https://www.alberta.ca/termination-pay) sets out minimum notice requirements based on your length of service:- Less than 90 days of employment — no notice required. - 90 days to less than 2 years — 1 week of notice. - 2 years to less than 4 years — 2 weeks of notice. - 4 years to less than 6 years — 4 weeks of notice. - 6 years to less than 8 years — 5 weeks of notice. - 8 years to less than 10 years — 6 weeks of notice. - 10 or more years — 8 weeks of notice. #### 2. Common Law Reasonable Notice Under common law, courts determine "reasonable notice" by considering a range of factors, often referred to as the Bardal factors:- The employee's age at the time of termination. - Length of service with the employer. - The character of the employment (seniority, role, responsibility). - The availability of similar employment. Common law reasonable notice can be as high as 24 months of pay. As a layoff lawyer serving Calgary employees, our team can assess your specific situation and calculate what your common law entitlement may be worth.What to Do After a Layoff (Step-by-Step) ---------------------------------------- 1. **Do not sign anything immediately.** Employers often include tight deadlines to pressure you. Take the time you need to understand your rights. 2. **Review your employment contract.** Look for clauses related to termination, severance, and temporary layoffs. 3. **Gather and organize your employment records.** Collect pay stubs, bonus records, benefit information, and your employment contract. 4. **Consult a Calgary layoff lawyer.** Before you accept or reject any offer, get a professional assessment of what you are truly owed. 5. **Apply for Employment Insurance (EI).** Applying promptly helps avoid delays in receiving support. 6. **Begin your job search.** Keep a record of your job search activities as courts expect you to make reasonable efforts to find new employment. How Our Calgary Lay-Off Lawyer Can Help --------------------------------------- TZ Law provides strategic, results-oriented legal services at every stage of the process. As an experienced layoff lawyer firm, we can help with:- Severance package review and analysis. - Severance negotiation to improve your package and maximize pay. - Wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal claims. - Temporary layoff lawyer services to dispute layoffs without contractual authority. - Lawyer for lay-offs dedicated to human rights claims and contract reviews. If you have been laid off or terminated in Calgary or anywhere in Alberta or British Columbia, TZ Law is here to help. [Contact us today](https://tzlaw.ca.cliogrow.com/intake/03d147c924596615d3a4a76cb7705300) for a confidential consultation to review your severance package and understand your full legal entitlements.