What does it mean when a company eliminates your position?
Mia Phillips
Updated on March 30, 2026
It’s gentler than a firing, yet stings more than a layoff. Sometimes, a position is eliminated for legitimate reasons—the company was over-staffed and change was inevitable. In other situations, “we’re eliminating your position” can be code for “we’re unhappy with you, but we don’t care to get into it.”
Can a job take away your position?
Generally, unless an employment contract or a collective bargaining agreement states otherwise, an employer may change an employee’s job duties, schedule or work location without the employee’s consent.
Is a position elimination a layoff?
For regular professional staff, layoff is the elimination of a position due to a lack of work, a lack of funds and/or because of a reorganization. Reducing a professional staff position’s percent time or months worked per year are not subject to the layoff process.
How long can an employee be laid off?
In addition, there are a number of technical requirements in Alberta regarding how notice must be drafted and given. To ensure that these requirements are met, consulting with legal counsel would be advisable. Generally, layoffs are limited to 60 days within a 120-day period.
What does it mean to eliminate a position?
Position eliminations and reductions in force allow an employer to say goodbye to an employee without having to lay out the reasons for the separation on the employee’s door step. It is, after all, easier to say the “business won’t support your continued employment,” than it is to say, “we don’t like your work.”
What should I do if my company eliminates an employee?
You could also eliminate employees from positions, but also be interested in retaining them at your organization in a different role. In this case, you would want to send a completely different letter that explains that while their position is being eliminated, the organization is open to letting them apply to other internal roles.
When to use position elimination or reduction in force?
Employers sometimes see a position elimination or reduction in force as a way of terminating employees that is kinder and gentler than termination for cause. Position eliminations and reductions in force allow an employer to say goodbye to an employee without having to lay out the reasons for the separation on the employee’s door step.
Can you decline unemployment if your position has been eliminated?
My position has been eliminated. Can my current employer decline me unemployment if I decline a lesser position? My employer told me last week that my position is being eliminated and that I have a couple options. Option 1: Take a lesser position (20% pay cut) which will also add an hour drive to and from work.