Document text
[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS] · [YOUR EMAIL] · [YOUR PHONE]
[DATE]
To: [NAME OF HR CONTACT], [TITLE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Re: Termination letter and release dated [DATE OF THE LETTER] — counter-proposal
Dear [NAME],
Thank you for the termination package you gave me on [DATE RECEIVED]. I have reviewed it against the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and I would like to propose the following before I sign any release.
Item Your offer My proposal
Termination pay (ESA notice) [WEEKS] weeks — $[AMOUNT] [WEEKS] weeks — $[AMOUNT]
Severance pay (ESA) [WEEKS] weeks — $[AMOUNT] [WEEKS] weeks — $[AMOUNT]
Additional amount for signing the release $[AMOUNT] $[AMOUNT]
Benefits continuation until [DATE] until [DATE]
Reference and departure statement [AS OFFERED] [AGREED WORDING]
My service: [YEARS] years and [MONTHS] months, regular weekly pay $[AMOUNT]. Under the ESA my minimum is [WEEKS] weeks of termination pay and [WEEKS] weeks of severance pay, $[AMOUNT] in total, due by [DATE].
I would appreciate a written reply by [DATE].
Sincerely,
______________________________
[YOUR FULL NAME]
Review checklist — before you sign a release
The ESA minimum (owed even without a release)
☐ Termination pay: 1 week under 1 year, 2 weeks for 1–3 years, then 1 week per completed year up to 8 (from 3 months of service)
☐ Severance pay: 5+ years and a global payroll of $2.5 million or more (or 50+ people severed in 6 months in a closure) — up to 26 weeks
☐ Paid 7 days after the last day, or on the next regular pay day if later
☐ Benefit plan contributions continue during the notice period
Above the minimum
☐ Is there an extra amount for signing the release? Is it clearly more than the ESA minimum?
☐ Common law notice can be higher than the ESA — ask an employment lawyer before signing
Other clauses
☐ What claims the release covers
☐ Non-compete, non-solicit, confidentiality — scope and length
☐ Reference and record of employment (ROE) date
☐ Return of company property
Dates
Letter received: [DATE] · Last day: [DATE] · ESA pay due: [DATE] · Reply requested by: [DATE]
This checklist and letter are not legal advice. For your own case, talk to an employment lawyer.
Reply to this document or get a deadline reminder: https://layers.md/ca/severance-package-review-ontario?from=reply-ca-severance-review