severance pay

When “Independent Contractor” Isn’t – Lessons for Physicians from Northern Health Authority v. du Plessis

July 10, 2026
Susan Kootnekoff
Image: "physician" by Yuya Tamai is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Physicians working under service agreements often have contracts that state that they are independent contractors. However, this label is not determinative. In Northern Health Authority v. du Plessis, a pediatrician recovered $388,582 after his contract was terminated amid fears relating...

Mass Layoffs in British Columbia – What Long Serving Employees Need to Know

April 16, 2026
Susan Kootnekoff

When an employer terminates 50 or more employees from a single location within a two-month period, the British Columbia Employment Standards Act (the “ESA”) imposes additional obligations. These “group termination” provisions are frequently underappreciated by employees who have shown incredible loyalty...

How Severance Pay is Determined in Canada

October 29, 2025
Susan Kootnekoff

An employee who is fired without just cause is entitled to reasonable notice of termination or severance pay instead of that notice. Determining how much severance an employee is entitled to depends on several factors including legislation, the common law,...