On October 28, 2025, Canadian social media management company Hootsuite announced widespread layoffs affecting approximately 20% of its global workforce. The company said the cuts are part of a strategic restructuring aimed at “clarifying accountability” and focusing on areas that will drive its next stage of growth (BetaKit).
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Hootsuite grew to become one of Canada’s best-known technology firms, with an estimated 1,000 employees worldwide prior to this latest round of job reductions. According to Business in Vancouver and The Logic, the layoffs affect hundreds of employees across departments as the company works to streamline operations and focus on sustainable growth.
While Hootsuite did not release province-specific figures, reports and online discussions suggest that employees in Ontario and other parts of Canada have also been affected. A thread on Reddit’s r/vancouver included posts from individuals identifying themselves as Ontario-based employees impacted by the layoffs, indicating that the reductions extend beyond British Columbia and include remote and hybrid staff nationwide.
What Hootsuite Announced
Public reports confirm that approximately one-fifth of the company’s global staff are being laid off. This marks Hootsuite’s third major workforce reduction since 2022, reflecting broader downsizing trends in Canada’s technology sector as companies adjust to slower growth and rising costs.
Although detailed headcount numbers were not disclosed, Hootsuite previously employed roughly 350 people in British Columbia, down from about 500 the prior year (Reddit discussion citing BIV reporting).
Key point: Even without a province-by-province breakdown, employees across Canada, including Ontario, are protected under employment-standards legislation and may be entitled to substantial severance pay if terminated without cause.
Who May Be Affected
Hootsuite is a global technology company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with employees and operations around the world. Within Canada, the company employs staff across multiple provinces — including British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec — through both in-office and remote positions. Given this distributed structure, the recent layoffs have affected Canadian employees as well as team members in other regions worldwide.
Severance Packages for Hootsuite Employees
As a provincially regulated employer, Hootsuite must comply with employment standards legislation in each province where it operates. In addition to these statutory rights, employees are also protected by common law—judge-made law established by court decisions—which often provides for greater severance than the minimums set out in employment standards legislation.
Severance entitlements depend on several factors, including:
- Length of service – Longer-serving employees are entitled to more notice or pay in lieu.
- Age – Older workers typically receive higher severance due to greater re-employment difficulty.
- Position and responsibility – Senior or specialized roles usually warrant longer notice periods.
- Availability of comparable employment – If few equivalent roles exist, courts may increase the amount owed.
Employers frequently offer packages that fall below full common-law entitlements. Before signing any release or settlement, affected employees should have their offer reviewed by an employment lawyer.
Wondering what you’re owed? Use our Severance Pay Calculator to estimate your potential entitlement based on your age, tenure, and role.
Your Rights if You’re Laid Off or Terminated
This information applies to non-unionized employees. A “layoff” without a contractual right to do so typically amounts to a termination under Canadian law. You may therefore be owed:
- Termination pay under your province’s employment-standards legislation (e.g., the Employment Standards Act, 2000 in Ontario).
- Common-law severance based on your age, tenure, position, and employability — often much higher than statutory minimums.
- Continuation of benefits, bonuses, and commissions during the reasonable-notice period.
In Canada, courts apply common law principles of reasonable notice when determining severance entitlements. These rights exist in addition to the minimum standards required by provincial legislation.
If you received a termination letter or severance offer, do not sign immediately. Many initial offers reflect only the minimum required by law, not your full entitlement under common law. Use our Severance Pay Calculator to estimate what you may be owed.
Potential Issues with Layoff Notices
Common problems found in layoff or termination packages include:
- Short deadlines to accept a severance offer without time to seek advice.
- “Temporary layoff” language where no recall is realistically expected.
- Omissions around benefit continuation, bonuses, or commissions.
- All-inclusive offers that do not disclose how the amount was calculated.
Even when a layoff is part of a global restructuring, employees in Canada are still protected by provincial employment standards and common-law entitlements.
Wider Trend: Tech Sector Layoffs in Canada
Hootsuite’s announcement follows similar workforce reductions at other major tech companies, including Shopify, Lightspeed, and Clearco. These companies cite cost pressures and market realignments as driving factors.
However, even during industry-wide adjustments, termination without cause must still comply with Canadian employment law. Employers cannot avoid their legal obligations simply because a layoff is described as “strategic restructuring.”
Wrongful Dismissal and Hootsuite Layoffs
If your termination was mishandled — such as insufficient notice, misleading classification as a layoff, or unfair severance — you may have grounds for a wrongful dismissal claim. A successful claim can recover additional compensation beyond what was initially offered.
How Monkhouse Law Can Help
At Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers, we represent employees across Canada who have been laid off or terminated. Our team can:
- Provide a free 30-minute phone consultation to review your termination or layoff letter.
- Negotiate on your behalf to secure fair compensation.
- Represent you in a wrongful-dismissal claim if your termination was not handled properly.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you were affected by the Hootsuite layoffs, don’t sign anything until you understand your rights. Contact Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers for a free 30 minute phone consultation.