Quebec Severance Pay Calculator

Estimate the statutory minimum termination pay in Quebec from your length of service and weekly pay.

WH By WageHour Tools Editorial Team Verified against official sources June 19, 2026 How we research
This is the statutory floor, not the likely payout. In Canada, dismissed non-unionized employees can often claim common-law reasonable notice, which is frequently far higher — sometimes around a month per year of service. Treat this number as the legal minimum.

Quebec termination pay rules

Quebec's Act respecting labour standards sets a minimum notice of termination from 1 week (after 3 months of service) up to 8 weeks (10 or more years).

  • 1 week after 3 months; 2 weeks after 1 year; 4 weeks after 5 years; 8 weeks after 10 years.
  • An employer can give the equivalent written notice instead of pay.
  • Under the Civil Code, employees may also be owed additional 'reasonable notice' beyond these statutory minimums.

This estimates the statutory minimum under the Act respecting labour standards. Quebec employees can be entitled to more under the Civil Code's reasonable-notice rules; get advice for dismissals.

Termination pay by length of service

Completed service Weeks' pay
3 months+ 1 week
1+ years 2 weeks
5+ years 4 weeks
10+ years 8 weeks
Official sources

Frequently asked questions

How is statutory termination pay calculated in Quebec?

It is based on length of service — broadly one week's pay per year, up to a maximum of 8 weeks. You generally qualify after 3 months of employment. The calculator multiplies the weeks owed by your weekly pay.

Is this the same as common-law severance?

No. This is the statutory minimum set by employment standards. Non-unionized employees can often claim common-law reasonable notice instead, which is frequently much higher — sometimes around a month of pay per year of service. The statutory amount is a floor, not a ceiling.

Can an employer give notice instead of pay?

Yes. Employers can usually provide the equivalent period of written working notice, pay in lieu, or a combination. Termination pay is what is owed when sufficient notice is not given.

What's the maximum statutory amount in Quebec?

The statutory termination entitlement is capped at 8 weeks' pay. Additional entitlements (such as Ontario's separate ESA severance pay or common-law notice) can exceed this.