Canada Post

If your employment with Canada Post in Ottawa has ended, or you have been offered a severance package, the rules that apply depend on your employer's jurisdiction, your contract and your length of service. This guide explains how notice, termination pay and severance can work for Canada Post employees and what to do before you sign anything.

At a glance

• Employer type: Crown corporation
• Law that generally applies: Canada Labour Code (federal), plus your contract and, if you are not unionized, common law
• If you are in a union: your collective agreement and grievance deadlines apply
• First step: do not sign a release or severance agreement until you understand it, and ask how long you have to respond

About Canada Post and your employment

Canada Post is a federal Crown corporation that provides postal, courier and logistics services across Canada, with its head office in Ottawa. Its employees include letter carriers, customer service agents, plant workers and corporate staff.

Many Canada Post employees are represented by unions and are covered by collective agreements. Management and exempt staff are generally not.

Which law applies to Canada Post employees?

Canada Post is generally treated as a federally regulated employer, so its employees are covered by Part III of the Canada Labour Code rather than the Ontario Employment Standards Act. Whether federal or provincial law applies depends on the employer's business, so confirm which applies to you if you are unsure.

In general terms, the Canada Labour Code provides for notice of termination (or pay in place of notice) after three months of service, severance pay for employees with 12 months of continuous employment, and notice requirements for group terminations of 50 or more employees. Employees who are not managers, who have 12 months of service and who are not covered by a collective agreement may also be able to file an unjust dismissal complaint, which has a short filing deadline. The Government of Canada's guide sets out the current rules and time limits.

Employees who are not unionized may also have rights under their employment contract and at common law. If you are in a bargaining unit, your collective agreement and grievance process apply.

Issues that often come up for Crown corporation employees

Collective agreements and grievances

If you are in a bargaining unit, your collective agreement and grievance process apply, and the deadlines can be short. Contact your union representative promptly.

Management and exempt staff

Employees outside a bargaining unit are generally covered by their employment terms, the Canada Labour Code and, in some cases, common law.

Pension and benefits

Ask how pension entitlements and benefits will be treated after your employment ends.

Changes to routes, facilities and duties

If your duties, location or hours change significantly, ask whether the change is permitted under your agreement.