Shaw Communications temporarily lays off 10% of workforce

Apr 14 2020, 11:34 pm

Calgary-based Shaw Communications has announced 10% of its workforce will be temporarily laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement released Tuesday, Shaw’s president, Paul McAleese, said the decision is a result of the “extraordinary and unpredictable conditions” created by the pandemic. Most of the layoffs involve individuals working in retail and sales roles across the company.

“Government leaders across the country have taken significant and necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of Canadians and to limit the spread of the virus. These measures have resulted in dramatic shortages or stoppages of work in specific areas of our business where we have had to make the hard decisions being announced today,” said McAleese.

“We value the hard work and expertise of all our employees in helping deliver connectivity to our customers across the country. Unfortunately, these changes are necessary until our business activities resume to more normal levels.”

The company said that at this time, it is ineligible for the government assistance support program but will use its own funds to top up EI payments for employees and continue to extend benefits and pension contributions for non-unionized employees during the temporary layoff period.

The layoffs go into effect on April 16, 2020.

Daily Hive StaffDaily Hive Staff

+ News
+ Venture
+ Jobs
+ Coronavirus
ADVERTISEMENT