Temporary Layoffs: What Everyone Needs to Know

Temporary layoffs are an attractive option for employers facing economic downturn, business or financial troubles, or a global pandemic like COVID-19. While it may appear to be a good way to eliminate staff without paying termination pay or severance, there are many misconceptions that both employers and employees have. This article aims to help you understand everything you need to know about temporary layoffs under Ontario employment law and should be used as a guide whether you are a business owner considering laying off staff or an employee who was laid off.

Temporary Layoffs Are Not Allowed for Most Employees

The first and most important thing to understand about temporary layoffs is that in most situations they are not allowed. There is no implied right to layoff an employee. Even though the ESA provides guidelines concerning the maximum length of a temporary layoff, the Ontario Courts do not permit an employer to layoff, or suspend an employee, without pay, unless:

1. It is one of the written terms in the employment contract; or
2. The layoff or suspension was agreed to by both employee and employer—this agreement can take the form of a written contract, a well-communicated policy or indirectly through a widely known practice within your employer’s organisation or industry (i.e. seasonal workers, construction industry, etc…).

Any layoff (even a temporary one) that doesn’t meet the above test is a constructive dismissal. The foundational case on this issue is Stolze v. Addario, 1997 CanLII 764, by the Ontario Court of Appeal, in which the Court wrote:

… the absence of evidence of a policy or practice within the employer company of laying off “key” employees, constitutes the lay-off a repudiation of a fundamental term of this employee’s contract. He was, therefore, constructively dismissed.

Only if the employer makes it over this first and difficult hurdle, does the law concerning temporary layoffs become relevant.

What is a Temporary Layoff?

A temporary layoff is when a employee’s hours are reduced or eliminated on a short term basis with the intention that they will shortly be recalled. At the time an employee is laid off, an employer is not required to provide a specific recall date, however, if they do, they must generally comply with it. The maximum length of a temporary layoff is specifically defined in the Employment Standards Act (“ESA”). If an employee’s layoff lasts even just one day longer than the specified time set out in the ESA, then the employee has been terminated retroactive to the first date of the layoff. As a result, that terminated employee is entitled to pay in lieu of notice and severance.  The definition of temporary layoff according to the Employment Standards Act is as follows:

What constitutes termination 56 (1) An employer terminates the employment of an employee … if, …

(c) the employer lays the employee off for a period longer than the period of a temporary lay-off.

Temporary lay-off (2) For the purpose of clause (1) (c), a temporary layoff is,

(a) a lay-off of not more than 13 weeks in any period of 20 consecutive weeks;

(b) a lay-off of more than 13 weeks in any period of 20 consecutive weeks, if the lay-off is less than 35 weeks in any period of 52 consecutive weeks and,

(i) the employee continues to receive substantial payments from the employer,

(ii) the employer continues to make payments for the benefit of the employee under a legitimate retirement or pension plan or a legitimate group or employee insurance plan,

(iii) the employee receives supplementary unemployment benefits,

(iv) the employee is employed elsewhere during the lay-off and would be entitled to receive supplementary unemployment benefits if that were not so,

(v) the employer recalls the employee within the time approved by the Director, or

(vi) in the case of an employee who is not represented by a trade union, the employer recalls the employee within the time set out in an agreement between the employer and the employee;

If the specific requirements for a layoff to be considered “temporary” are not met than that layoff is a termination. In a nutshell (and explained in more detail below), if your layoff lasts longer than the temporary layoff time periods or does not meet any of the conditions set out above, the employer is considered to have terminated the employee’s employment. The employee will therefore be entitled to termination pay, severance or damage for wrongful dismissal

Temporary Layoffs of More than 13 Weeks but less than 35 Weeks

A layoff more than 13 weeks but less than 35 weeks, can only be considered temporary where at least one of the following conditions are met:

1. The employee continues to receive substantial payments from the employer;
2. The employer continues to make RRSP, pension plan, or group health and/or dental insurance plan contributions;
3. The employee receives supplementary unemployment benefits (or would be entitled to receive this benefits if not for the employee having alternative employment during this period); or
4. the employer recalls the employee within the time approved by the Director.

Ongoing “Substantial Payments” or Benefit Plan Contributions by Employer

The payments contemplated under 1 and 2 need to have been made throughout the entire period of the temporary layoff in order to satisfy this condition. If the employer did not make regular and on going payments during the first 13 weeks of the temporary layoff or stopped making payments at any time, this condition is not satisfied. The term “substantial payment” is not defined and will likely depend on any individuals particular employment circumstances. Employers and employees should consider getting legal advice on this requirement because it will be highly case specific. With respect to benefit plans, specifically, the terms of the plans provided by the employer must be the same as before the layoff began (unless the employee specifically agreed to an amendment to the plan or the amendment was made for a legitimate cause such as a legislative change). Employers cannot drastically cut benefits and then continue making the reduced payment in an attempt to get around this requirement.

Supplementary Employment Benefit (SUB) Plans

The Government of Canada offers a program called the Supplementary Unemployment Benefit Plans (SUB Plans) that provides employers with the ability to set up and provide additional financial assistance to employees during a period of layoff due to temporary stoppage of work, training, or illness, injury or quarantine. If an employer has a SUB plan, employees will likely already know about it. This plan provide to employees a top up of some amount over and above EI. For more details consider the Government of Canada’s Guide to Supplementary Employment Benefit Program.

Approval by Director of the Ministry of Labour

In special circumstances the Director of the Ministry of Labour can provide exceptions to certain employers. Employers would be obliged to inform their employees.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

How do employees recall temporarily laid off employees?

During a temporary layoff, an employer upon notice to their employee, can set a recall date requiring the employee to return. Typically, this is done by the employer providing a “recall notice” informing the employee of the return to work date.

What happens if an employee is recalled in a situation where the layoff was wrongful or not temporary?

If an employee is provided with a recall date that either (a) falls outside or afoul of the temporary layoff provisions in the ESA, or (b) in the course of a layoff that was never permitted in the first place, then the employee has two options:

1. Return to work and abandon his claim to termination pay, severance pay and/or damages for wrongful dismissal; or
2. Refuse to return to work and claim constructive dismissal,

Only in rare circumstances are both options available. If an employee refuses to return to work and claim constructive dismissal they would be obliged to comply with their Duty to Mitigate.

What happens if an employer is unable to recall an employee during a temporary layoff? 

If an employer is unable to recall the laid off employee for any reason, even if doing so was unintentional or through no fault of their own, the layoff becomes a termination and the employee is entitled to termination pay, severance pay and/or damages for wrongful dismissal.

What if an employee’s job is no longer available?

Generally, an employee should be recalled to the job they had before the layoff. However, if the job is no longer available, the employee must be given a similar or comparable position with the same or greater benefits and pay.

What if an employee refuses to return after a temporary layoff?

Employees are considered employed during a temporary layoff and, therefore, are required to return upon being recalled by their employer. A refusal to return may be considered job abandonment.

What about temporary layoffs for unionised workers?

The above legal information is generally applicable only to non-unionized employees. If you are in a union you need to speak with your union representatives.

What about temporary layoffs because of COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic is novel and unprecedented. While it may not have an effect on the current law, it is important to understand that there is no way to know for certain how Ontario employment law might change or how the Courts may react. If you are facing a particular employment issue because of COVID-19, you should speak to a lawyer. 

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