Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has laid off approximately 11,000 of its employees as a result of a continued decline in demand for Facebook usage around the world. Over the past few years, Meta had roughly doubled its workforce in the hopes of developing a “metaverse” that would revolutionize online interactions; however, revenues did not increase as Meta had hoped and this ultimately led to the decision to terminate 11,000 employees.

Under Ontario law, a mass layoff occurs when 50 or more employees are terminated within a four-week time period. Employees terminated as a part of a mass layoff are entitled to a greater floor in terms of their minimum severance package than if it were a regular termination (i.e. less than 50 employees let go in a four-week period). In Ontario, employees who are a part of a mass layoff are entitled to a minimum of 8 weeks’ pay if there are 50-199 employees terminated, 12 weeks’ pay if there are 200-499 employees terminated or 16 weeks’ pay if there are 500+ employees terminated. However, these are just the minimum levels of pay the employer must pay, and the terminated employees might be entitled to much more than this.

If you are an employee who has been let go as a part of the mass layoff from Meta, we recommend that you seek legal counsel to better understand your right to a fair severance package. We at Whitten & Lublin are happy to provide insight and advice into your specific circumstances. If you are looking for employment lawyers and would like more information about what Whitten & Lublin can do for you, please contact us online or by phone at (416) 640-2667 today.

Author: Nasyr Asmi