Deloitte acquires Vancouver tech company Pocketed: Employee rights

What’s going on at Deloitte?

Deloitte Canada has acquired Pocketed (deepND Inc.), a Vancouver-based company known for its innovative approach to helping businesses identify, apply for, and secure funding opportunities.

“By joining forces, Deloitte will be able to offer a broader range of services, helping our clients stay competitive and accelerate growth in today’s disruptive landscape,” Anthony Viel, CEO of Deloitte Canada and Chile, said in a recent news release.

“We are investing in innovative solutions, alliances, and companies to build and strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem and to empower our clients across all sectors, ensuring their growth and success benefits all communities and Canadians.”

Pocketed is being integrated into Deloitte’s Gi3 practice, which is focused on providing “crucial support to clients in securing various forms of non-dilutive funding.”

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Who pays severance if Deloitte doesn’t keep certain Pocketed employees?

In Canada, the “seller” of the business is responsible for providing proper compensation to staff who lose their job.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains the rights workers have when their employer sells the business on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

If you received a new employment offer following the acquisition, and you have a good reason for why you don’t want to accept it (i.e. different hours or pay), contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. We’ll help you secure the severance pay you’re entitled to.

Even without a good reason you can still get severance, but it’s very likely that you will only receive your minimum entitlements.

LEARN MORE
• Employer sold the business in B.C.? Know your rights to severance
• Rights to severance in Alberta when your employer sells the business
• Sale of business in Ontario: Rights to severance

Can Deloitte make major changes to the jobs of Pocketed employees?

In Canada, non-unionized employees at Pocketed don’t have to accept substantial changes to their job that Deloitte might try to enforce.

Major modifications, such as a demotion, longer shifts, or reduced pay, are illegal.

When significant adjustments are made to the terms of your employment without your consent, there’s a very good chance that you can treat it as a constructive dismissal.

In this situation, the law allows you to quit your job and pursue full severance pay.

If you believe you’ve been constructively dismissed, don’t resign before contacting our firm.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Changes to your employment in B.C.: Your rights
• Job changes in Alberta: What employees need to know
• Can my employer make changes to my job in Ontario?

New employment contracts for Pocketed staff

If you work for Pocketed in Canada, and you received a new employment contract following the acquisition, take the time to carefully review it before signing it.

In many cases, these agreements take away key protections that would otherwise be available to non-unionized employees, including:

• Eliminating past service: The new owner might attempt to reduce or eliminate your years of service with your previous employer. Don’t sacrifice your seniority. Length of service is a key factor when determining how much severance pay you are entitled to.
• Reducing severance pay: Some employers try to use a termination clause to reduce your severance entitlements to the bare minimum. Instead of months of pay, you might only receive a few weeks’ pay if you are fired without cause or let go.
• Ability to make changes: The new owner might attempt to add a clause that gives them the right to change aspects of your job (i.e. hours or pay) without your permission or lay you off without penalty.

Employers in Canada can’t legally force non-unionized workers to sign a new employment contract immediately or a few days after receiving it.

SEE ALSO
• Starting a new job? Here’s how an employment contract could limit your rights
• Employment Law Show: 5 things to know about employment contracts
• Employment Law Show: Things to never do before seeking legal counsel

Workplace issue? Talk to our team

Since 2007, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Whether you’re in B.C., Alberta, or Ontario, our lawyers can review your situation, enforce your rights, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.