BlackBerry lays off 200 workers, plans to trim headcount further

After cutting approximately 200 jobs, BlackBerry is planning to pull out the axe again.

What’s happening at BlackBerry?

In a news release on Feb. 12, the Waterloo-based tech giant said its recent cost-cutting measures were “largely focused on the Cybersecurity business.”

“During the current quarter, BlackBerry is taking further actions to streamline its cost structure,” the release reads.

“Within the Cybersecurity business, additional headcount reductions are expected to generate annualized savings of approximately $27 million and non-headcount actions an incremental $8 million.”

The company added that it has exited six of its 36 global office locations, including San Ramon, California.

Impact on Canadian staff

It remains unclear if any Canadian employees at BlackBerry have been let go.

According to the company’s LinkedIn page, it has more than 1,600 workers in the country.

Is BlackBerry still splitting into two companies?

Yes, BlackBerry is moving ahead with its separation plans.

While the company scrapped its initial public offering (IPO) plans for its Internet of Things (IoT) business in December, it still intends to split the IoT and Cybersecurity businesses into standalone entities.

Leadership teams have reportedly been established for both divisions.

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Termination agreements for BlackBerry employees

In Canada, non-unionized employees at BlackBerry are owed full severance pay when they lose their jobs due to downsizing, corporate restructuring, or the closure of the business.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.

People working “on contract” or as a contractor may also be owed severance pay — given that many employees in Canada are often misclassified as independent contractors.

Severance can be as much as 24 months’ pay, depending on a number of factors.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains what rights employees have if they are being fired or let go on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Before accepting a severance offer, double-check the amount using our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their entitlements.

In addition to your salary, make sure to factor in any other elements of your compensation (i.e. bonuses, commission, etc.).

If your employer’s offer falls short of what our Severance Pay Calculator says you are owed, it’s very likely that you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Non-unionized employees in Canada have up to two years from the date of their dismissal to pursue proper severance pay.

LEARN MORE
• Severance for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance for tech sector staff
• Rights to severance during mass layoffs

Major tech layoffs continue

The job cuts at BlackBerry come amid a flurry of tech sector layoffs in 2024.

Big names, including Grammarly, Amazon, DocuSign, Snap, Zoom, Okta, PayPal, Salesforce, Microsoft, eBay, Wayfair, YouTube, Google, and Instagram, have also pulled out the axe as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.

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• Firm launches $130M class action against Shopify for breach of contract
• Top Hat layoffs target 10% of workforce to be ‘self-sustaining’
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Talk to an employment lawyer

If you have been fired or let go for any reason, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have successfully represented tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals.

In addition to severance package negotiations, we can assist you on a broad range of employment matters, including:

If you are a non-unionized employee who needs help with a workplace issue, contact us or call 1-855-821-5900 to get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.