The format of a My Take is 150 words – no more, no less – to express an opinion on a different topic each week. This week’s topic was layoffs.
By Lawrence Belanger
With layoffs announced at 3M, Google, and Postmedia, job security is on peoples’ minds. We’re fortunate that in Quebec, federal and provincial regulations require between 1-2 weeks of advanced notice, which must be delivered in writing. As a relative newcomer to Canada, I can’t say for certain what sort of impact this has on Canadian job security, but I can compare this to American employment, which follows the “at-will” model.
Most US States allow termination of work at any time by either party, for any reason, supposedly as long as it’s not in violation of other laws like discrimination protections. Proponents claim this provides “freedom” for bosses and workers, but the employer has more money and resources at their disposal. An individual must seek work to feed & clothe themselves, while a business must strive to make money. These interests do not always align, hence layoffs.
