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Severance Package Review Lawyers Toronto
Reviewing Your Severance Offer? Speak with a Toronto Severance Package Review Lawyer
If you’ve received a severance or termination offer and need clarity on your legal rights, Greenwood Law is here to help. Under Ontario law, employees are often entitled to compensation that exceeds what employers initially offer. Our Toronto severance package review lawyers will assess your offer, identify any unfair gaps, and negotiate stronger terms so you receive what you’re truly entitled to.
Meet Your Severance Package Review Team in Toronto
Our Toronto employment lawyers specialize in reviewing severance and termination offers for employees. With extensive knowledge of both ESA statutory entitlements and common law reasonable notice, we analyze every aspect of your compensation package, from pay in lieu of notice to benefits and bonuses, to ensure nothing is overlooked. We guide you through negotiations and act decisively to protect your financial interests.
What Is a Severance Package?
A severance package is compensation given upon termination without cause. It may include pay in lieu of working notice, severance pay under the ESA, continuation of benefits, vacation pay, and sometimes extras like bonuses or assistance finding new employment. Common law severance, based on Bardal factors, often surpasses statutory minimums and can reach up to 24 months’ pay, depending on age, length of service, position, and re-employability
What Is the Difference Between Statutory and Common Law Severance?
If you’ve worked for at least five years for a large employer, you are eligible for statutory severance: one week’s pay per year of service (up to 26 weeks under the ESA) . Common law severance reflects reasonable notice and is calculated case by case. Courts consider Bardal factors, time on the job, age, role, re-employment prospects, to often award significantly more than statutory minimums, sometimes up to 24 months or more
Why You Should Have Your Severance Reviewed
Employers often offer basic, statutory-focused packages that undervalue your true entitlements. An employment lawyer can:
- Ensure all forms of compensation, salary, benefits, bonuses, stock options, are adequately included
- Identify whether your employment contract unlawfully limits your severance
- Negotiate an improved offer based on legal rights and local precedent
- Save time and emotional energy, while maximizing your total payout
Why You Should Have Your Severance Reviewed
Many employees accept severance offers without realizing they’re likely undervalued. Employers often present minimal ESA-compliant packages and pressure you to sign quickly. Without legal guidance, you risk:
- Accepting pay far below your common law entitlements
- Signing away important legal claims, including wrongful dismissal or harassment
- Overlooking ongoing benefits, bonuses, stock options, and vacation pay
- Agreeing to restrictive clauses that limit future job opportunities
- Meeting unrealistic deadlines, legally you typically have two years to file a claim
- Legal representation strengthens your position, ensures your full entitlements are assessed, and protects your future rights.
Hear From Our Clients
Helping Clients Get Back to Work
Our employment lawyers in Toronto are ready to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Table of Contents
Hear From Our Clients
Helping Clients Get Back to Work
Our employment lawyers in Toronto are ready to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Why Chooose Greenwood Law - Toronto Employment Lawyers
Our legal team focuses on tailored strategies that reflect the unique details of your case, not cookie, cutter solutions.
Specialized expertise in severance law in Toronto
We understand how ESA and common law interact, enabling us to secure compensation far above statutory minima.
Personalized review of complex packages
Our careful assessment includes all income elements—bonuses, benefits, commissions, ensuring nothing is missed.
Negotiation strength backed by strategy
With clear knowledge of Toronto employment standards and case law, we negotiate confidently on your behalf.
Responsive, straightforward guidance
We explain your rights, options, and outcomes in simple terms, no legalese.
Severance Package Review Lawyer in Toronto Frequently Asked Questions
What should my review include?
A thorough review examines pay in lieu of notice, severance entitlements, benefits continuation, bonuses, termination clause enforceability, release language, and common law entitlements.
Can I negotiate after signing?
Once signed, severance agreements are typically final. That’s why early legal review is crucial before accepting, so you don’t waive your rights unintentionally.
Do I always get more than statutory severance?
Not always, but common law entitlements may significantly exceed ESA minimums if you’ve been in a higher-level role, have long service, or face limited re-employment opportunities in Toronto.
How are bonuses and benefits handled?
Bonuses, stock options, commissions, pension contributions, and benefits that form part of your total earning package should be included when calculating reasonable notice, our team ensures they are.
What is a release and why does it matter?
A release clause requires you to relinquish legal claims in exchange for severance. Our lawyers ensure it’s fair and legal before you commit.
What happens if my contract limits severance?
If your contract attempts to limit your rights to statutory minimums but is poorly drafted or incomplete, courts may void it, allowing you to claim full common law notice
Speak with a Severance Package Review Lawyer in Toronto
Don’t accept a lowball offer. Greenwood Law provides expert review and negotiation of severance packages to ensure you get the compensation you’re entitled to under ESA and common law.
Areas We Serve
At Greenwood Law, we proudly serve clients across Ontario & throughout Canada, including:
