Flames, Oilers temporarily laying off staff

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.

The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers are letting go of a significant number of employees in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation is laying off approximately half of its full-time workforce - or about 150 people - for 60 days beginning April 13, the Flames announced Monday. The affected employees were given two weeks' notice.

The team is also implementing salary reductions of 10% to 25% for the remaining staff, with the rate of the respective reductions increasing with salary levels, meaning executive management will take the highest percentage cuts.

Calgary will initiate an unemployment benefit plan for the laid-off employees, which will provide an Employment Insurance top-up payment to those affected.

Meanwhile, Oilers Entertainment Group is temporarily reducing its staff by 139 employees and trimming compensation for those still working from home, the club announced Monday.

OEG will ensure that all non-executive employees - whether they've been laid off or are still working from home - will continue to receive 75% to 90% of their respective salaries. That mirrors the Flames' salary reductions, but Edmonton's move applies to all staff rather than just those who remain.

The Flames reportedly informed hourly workers earlier this month that they wouldn't be compensated for lost shifts during the shutdown, though the club reversed course and implemented a compensation program for part-timers.

On March 24, the Oilers' senior hockey and business executives decided to temporarily forgo half to all of their respective salaries to help the organization financially.