What’s going on at Rennie?
Rennie, a prominent Vancouver real estate marketing and brokerage firm, has laid off 31 members of its head office team, representing more than 25% of its total staff.
- The cuts were confirmed in an email from President Greg Zayadi, who acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and the scale of change facing the industry.
- Zayadi cited wide-ranging disruptions — including geopolitical uncertainty, economic volatility, AI, and housing affordability — as forces “fundamentally reshaping” the real estate sector.
- The move, according to Rennie, is part of a broader strategy to “reimagine how we work” and build resilience in a volatile market.
“This is not about stepping bacl. It’s about building a stronger foundation… to grow with the market, industry and our communities,” Zayadi wrote to staff.
What’s driving the staff reductions?
The layoffs come as B.C.’s real estate market continues to cool, especially in the Lower Mainland:
- Home sales in the region fell 29.1% in April 2025, compard to the same month last year, per a recent Royal Bank of Canada report
- Slower project launches, hesitant buyers, and tighter financing conditions are pressuring marketing firms like Rennie that rely on development pipelines and pre-construction activity.
- Industry analysts say these kinds of cuts are becoming more common as firms recalibrate their staffing to align with market demand.
Outreach online
Zayadi said that since announcing the layoffs on LinkedIn, multiple companies have reached out about hiring affected Rennie team members.
- That outreach could offer a quicker employment rebound for some, especially those in tech, design, and marketing roles.
- Rennie has not disclosed details about severance or transition support for departing staff.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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What’s next for impacted Rennie employees?
If you’ve been affected by the layoffs at Rennie, understanding your legal rights is crucial.
Non-unionized employees in Canada’s real estate sector are entitled to severance pay based on a variety of factors, including their role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.
ℹ️ Want a quick overview on severance pay? Watch the video below or check out the full episode in our TV section.
Here’s what you need to know
- Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
- Deadlines: You generally have up to two years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
- Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Canadian employment laws.
Many companies cutting jobs
Rennie isn’t the only major employer scaling back its staffing levels in 2025.
Other big names, including Match Group, Meta, CrowdStrike, Expedia Group, Morningstar, Cenovus Energy, Intel, Infosys, Google, Alstom, Microsoft, S&S Activewear, Siemens, HPE, and Wayfair, have also pulled out the axe.
SEE ALSO
• Estée Lauder reportedly cut all Canadian staff in Hudson’s Bay stores
• Canada’s immigration department slashing workforce by 25%
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?
Lost your job? Contact us
If you’ve been fired or let go from Alstom, Samfiru Tumarkin LLP’s experienced Vancouver employment lawyers can help.
Our lawyers in B.C. have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.
Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.
