Work. Made Better. Series
By Alan Kearns, Founder, CareerJoy
In Calgary, resilience is a way of life, but when layoffs hit, leadership is tested.
This is a city that’s constantly evolving. From energy giants to fintech disruptors, from engineering firms to non-profits, Calgary is home to bold ideas and ambitious people. But it’s also a city that has weathered booms and busts, and understands the human toll of market swings.
Whether you’re restructuring due to market volatility, consolidating business units, or navigating an M&A, how you manage transitions speaks volumes about your values as a leader.
In Calgary, where relationships matter as much as revenue, outplacement isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a vital investment in dignity, brand, and organizational trust.
Calgary has a population of over 1.4 million and one of the youngest, most educated workforces in the country. It’s a hub for energy, finance, engineering, real estate, technology, and logistics. But it’s also a city profoundly shaped by economic cycles, and where people remember how companies behave in hard times.
What’s at Stake:
In Alberta, while outplacement isn’t legally mandated, it’s increasingly used to demonstrate good faith in terminations. Especially in large restructures, unionized environments, or when long-tenured employees are affected.
In Nguyen v. EnergyCore Ltd. (2022), the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench considered whether an employee was supported in their job search post-termination. While outplacement wasn’t legally required, its absence was noted in the awarding of additional damages.
The message is clear: even in cost-cutting scenarios, investing in ethical transition reduces downstream risks — financial, legal, and reputational.
HR and leadership teams here consistently value:
✔️ Have your leaders been trained to handle exits with empathy and clarity?
✔️ Are your services aligned with Alberta’s employment standards and case law?
✔️ Do you have outplacement partners who understand both the corporate and industrial sides of the Calgary market?
✔️ Are you supporting not just re-employment, but mental resilience?
✔️ Have you considered the message your approach sends to retained staff?
CareerJoy is Canada’s leading people and culture firm, trusted by organizations across the energy sector, financial services, government, and tech.
What sets us apart in Calgary:
✅ 1:1 coaching for professionals, tradespeople, and executives
✅ Expertise in Alberta labour law and economic context
✅ Coaches with local insight and national reach
✅ Emotional and mental wellness integration
✅ Post-landing support to ensure sustainable outcomes
Voices from Calgary
“We needed more than templates — we needed people who could meet our team where they were, emotionally and professionally. CareerJoy delivered that with heart and strategy.”
— Senior HR Leader, Calgary-based energy company. After being laid off from an engineering firm I’d been with for 12 years, CareerJoy helped me regain confidence. They knew the Calgary market, and they helped me land well.”
— A. Patel, mid-career engineering leader
In early 2025, a Calgary-based mid-cap oil and gas company downsized following a merger, impacting 75 employees across technical, HR, and administrative roles.
CareerJoy was engaged to:
Outcomes:
Longstanding presence in Alberta with structured delivery.
Consideration: Strong with large-scale programs, but feedback often notes a lack of emotional depth and customization.
Global, tech-forward platform.
Consideration: Offers automation and analytics, but coaching may be delivered outside Canada, with limited local relevance.
Enterprise-focused provider with a history in Alberta.
Consideration: Often geared toward high-volume or government contracts; small to mid-size firms may find service less flexible.
Organizations in Calgary choose CareerJoy because we:
Whether you’re sunsetting a business unit or managing industry-wide shifts, we help you preserve culture, reduce risk, and lead well.
The best leaders in Calgary know it’s not just about how you grow — it’s about how you let go.
Outplacement isn’t a soft skill. It’s a core leadership behaviour that builds loyalty, safeguards reputation, and reflects your values in action.
CareerJoy proudly supports organizations across Alberta and Canada, including the Government of Canada, World Vision, BMW, Shopify, YMCA, and BGC Canada.
As an APEX partner with a 4.7-star Google rating, we specialize in human-first, ethical transitions.
📧 alan.kearns@careerjoy.com
📞 1-877-256-2569
Human-first. AI-smart. 100% Canadian. Global reach. Proven results.
