2026 Layoff Survival Guide: Your Legal Rights After Being Let Go at 55+

Experiencing a job loss later in your career presents unique challenges. For employees aged 55 and older, termination often raises significant concerns regarding future employment prospects, financial stability, and retirement planning. At this stage, understanding your legal rights and compensation entitlements becomes particularly important.

To address these issues, Lecker & Associates is hosting a complimentary online webinar for senior professionals and executives who have recently been laid off or are facing termination.

The 2026 Layoff Survival Guide: Your Legal Rights After Being Let Go at 55+
February 25 at 11:00 AM EST

This session is designed to provide clear, practical guidance on how termination and severance entitlements are assessed for older employees in Ontario.

Why Late-Career Terminations Require Careful Review

Terminations involving senior or long-service employees are rarely straightforward. Employees later in their careers often face longer job searches, increased economic disruption, and heightened sensitivity to how severance packages are structured.

Despite this, employers frequently rely on minimum standards under the Employment Standards Act when presenting severance offers. While these standards represent statutory minimums, they do not necessarily reflect an employee’s full common law entitlements.

Accepting an offer without proper review can result in the forfeiture of significant compensation.

Lecker & Associates regularly advises executives and senior employees whose initial severance offers materially understated their legal position. This webinar will explain how entitlements are assessed in practice and what employees should consider before signing any release.

What the Webinar Will Cover

Key topics include:

• Severance and Termination Entitlements
How age, length of service, and role characteristics influence compensation.

• Common Employer Practices
Why initial offers are often conservative and how they are typically structured.

• Negotiation Considerations
When negotiation is appropriate and how legal advice can affect outcomes.

• Timing and Deadlines
Important considerations before executing a release.

Who This Session Is For

This webinar is intended for non-unionized executives and senior employees aged 55+ in Ontario seeking to better understand their legal rights following termination.

About the Presenters

Ian D. Hurley, B.A., LL.B.
Partner at Lecker & Associates. Ian regularly represents senior employees and executives in wrongful dismissal litigation, employment contract disputes, and severance negotiations.

Maria Esmatyar, B.A. (Hons.), J.D.
Partner at Lecker & Associates. Maria advocates for employees in termination, discrimination, harassment, and disability-related matters.

Moving Forward After a Late-Career Job Loss

A termination later in one’s career can have lasting professional and financial consequences. Understanding your legal position before accepting a severance package can materially influence outcomes.

Registration for this complimentary webinar is now open. Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2026-layoff-survival-guide-your-legal-rights-after-being-let-go-at-55-tickets-1980640417807