Union accuses Bethesda of violating labour laws in Canada following layoffs at Montreal studio

Bethesda employee union OneBGS has filed a legal complaint alleging that the developer is "for continuing to violate labour laws in Canada" following layoffs at its Montreal studio. According to reporting from GamesIndustry.biz and Eurogamer, termination notices were issued to affected Canadian workers on Friday, July 17, 2026.

OneBGS claims the mid-July terminations directly contradict previous assurances given to staff, who had reportedly been told they would remain employed at the Montreal location until September.

Severance Terms and Immediate Loss of Benefits

According to the union, affected workers were informed that their package would consist of eight weeks' compensation in place of advance notice, along with any accrued vacation pay. OneBGS criticized the payout as the minimum required by Canadian law.

Management reportedly bypassed collective negotiations when determining these terms. "That same day, they told their laid-off Bethesda Montreal employees that they would receive the smallest severance legally possible without bargaining with the union," stated OneBGS in a report by GamesIndustry.biz. The union also characterized the offer to Eurogamer as "The smallest severance pay possible."

In addition to offering the minimum severance package, OneBGS claims that Bethesda informed laid-off employees that their healthcare and job benefits would be terminated immediately upon receiving notice.

Unconfirmed Details and Official Response

The total count of employees affected by the layoffs at Bethesda Montreal remains unconfirmed. Bethesda leadership has not yet publicly addressed the legal complaint or the specific allegations made by OneBGS.

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• GamesIndustry.biz
• Eurogamer Hero image: https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/fallout-76-helmet.jpg?width=690&quality=85&format=jpg&auto=webp