Getting temporarily laid off

Myth or fact?

All employers have the right to temporarily lay off workers when times are tough.

Your employer is struggling and doesn’t have enough work for you right now. They’re sorry but they have to lay you off — or at least ask you to work fewer hours. Just till things pick up. You don’t doubt their sincerity. But neither do you necessarily have to accept this deal. Learn your rights if you're temporarily laid off.

What you should know

Work out the problem

Common questions

Who can help

Reviewed for legal accuracy by

Trevor Thomas, Ascent Employment Law

Trevor Thomas

Also on this topic

Still not sure what to do?

If you're looking for advice specific to your situation, there are options for free or low-cost help.

Options for legal help

This website explains in a general way the law that applies in British Columbia, Canada. The information is not intended as legal advice. The cases we refer to reflect real experiences, but names have been changed. See our full disclaimer.

Get the latest free info — sign up for our newsletter

Access the email newsletter archive.

Contact us

You can reach us by phone at 604-331-5400. More contact info.

Also from People's Law School

Dial-A-Law: A starting point for information on the law in British Columbia in 190+ topic areas. Available online and by phone.

Unbundled Legal Services: Learn about a new service model for lower-cost legal help. 

Beagle: A chatbot that helps with common legal problems. Look in the bottom right corner :)

Thanks to our funders

Meet our primary funders.

People's Law School logo

We are grateful to work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, whose Peoples continue to live on and care for these lands.