Severance Package Review & Negotiation Lawyer Vancouver
Before you Accept your Severance, Make Sure it’s Fair
Being laid off often comes with pressure to sign quickly, without knowing what you are actually owed. PortaLaw helps employees across British Columbia review severance packages, understand their rights, and negotiate better outcomes.
$400 + tax. Employees only. Provincially and federally regulated workplaces.
Not Sure If Your Severance Package Is Fair
Start with a clear review
One of the most common questions employees ask is: how much severance am I entitled to
Employers often present an offer that meets minimum requirements under the Employment Standards Act. In many cases, employees are entitled to more under common law reasonable notice. Some topics a severance review supports:
Your role and level
of responsibility
Length of employment
Age and career
stage
Availability of
similar employment
Terms in your employment
contract
Severance Negotiation
You do not have to accept the first offer. Severance offers are often negotiable. Many employees do not realize they have the ability to negotiate severance or improve the terms of their package.
Severance negotiation may include:
Increasing compensation or notice period
Extending benefits coverage
Adjusting bonus or commission payouts
Clarifying restrictive clauses or obligations
What Is Wrongful or Constructive Dismissal
Start with a clear understanding of your situation
Not every termination is handled properly. Not every resignation is truly voluntary.
Wrongful Dismissal
Wrongful dismissal happens when an employee is terminated without cause and not given proper notice or compensation.
In British Columbia, employers must follow minimum standards under the Employment Standards Act. In many cases, employees are also entitled to common law reasonable notice, which can be significantly higher.
A wrongful dismissal claim may involve:
Reviewing whether your termination met legal requirements
Assessing your entitlement to additional compensation
Negotiating a wrongful dismissal settlement
Pursuing wrongful dismissal compensation when needed
Constructive Dismissal
Constructive dismissal happens when an employer changes your job or work environment in a way that makes it unreasonable to continue working.
This can include:
A reduction in pay or hours
A change in role or responsibilities
Ongoing bullying or harassment
A toxic or hostile work environment
Pressure that leads to a forced resignation
In these situations, the law may treat your departure as a termination. You may still have a constructive dismissal claim and be entitled to compensation.
What You May Be Entitled To
Every case is different, but employees dealing with wrongful dismissal or constructive dismissal may be entitled to:
Wrongful dismissal compensation
A negotiated wrongful dismissal settlement
Pay in lieu of reasonable notice
Additional damages in certain cases
Guidance through a constructive dismissal claim
Many initial offers only reflect minimum requirements. A proper review can determine whether your entitlement is higher.
How PortaLaw Supports You
Louis Claman works exclusively with employees dealing with non-unionized workplace matters. The goal is to help you understand your position and move forward with confidence.
Support includes:
Reviewing termination and severance offers
Assessing wrongful termination and constructive dismissal claims
Advising on next steps before you respond or sign anything
Negotiating directly with your employer
Representing you in formal proceedings when necessary
The process is designed to reduce uncertainty and give you a clear path forward.
Meet Louis Claman
Employment Lawyer, PortaLaw
Louis Claman works with employees across British Columbia on wrongful and constructive dismissal matters, providing thoughtful, practical guidance to help you understand what happened and move forward with confidence.
Louis approaches each case with care and attention to detail, taking the time to understand what happened and what a fair outcome looks like for you. Whether you are dealing with a severance offer, workplace harassment, or a forced resignation, his role is to help you move forward with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Severance Packages
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If you were terminated without cause and did not receive proper notice or compensation, there may be a wrongful dismissal claim. The details depend on your role, length of employment, and contract.
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Wrongful dismissal involves being terminated without proper compensation. Constructive dismissal involves workplace changes or conditions that lead you to leave your position.
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Yes. Many severance offers reflect only minimum legal requirements. A review can determine whether you are entitled to more and support negotiation of a better outcome.
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Take time to review the offer and seek legal advice. Signing too quickly can limit your ability to pursue additional compensation or claims.
Book an initial consultation with Louis Claman to understand your situation, your options, and the next steps available to you.
Ready to Understand Your Rights
Initial consultation $400 + tax. Employees only. Provincially and federally regulated workplaces.