Lior Samfiru discusses Shopify class action lawsuit with the Canadian Press

The e-commerce giant Shopify faces a $130 million class action lawsuit on behalf of recently terminated employees. After its latest round of mass layoffs, Shopify employees were offered severance packages and after accepting, were told they would receive far less due to a vague error.

Lior Samfiru, an employment lawyer and co-founding Managing Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP representing the claimants, spoke to the Canadian Press’ Tara Deschamps on the lawsuit.

“The individuals did the reasonable thing, which is to accept, only to be told even though we made you reasonable offers, even though you accepted that reasonable offer, we’re just not going to do it and you have to sign a brand new agreement for a much lesser amount,” said Samfiru.

“It just doesn’t work like that. I review severance packages every day and have 21 years of doing this and I have never seen any employer ever do anything like that.”

Samfiru reiterated that for many people there was a stark difference in severance offers. “We’ve seen anywhere from a $10,000 to $50,000 and $60,000 difference between what individuals accepted and what Shopify now says they’re not going to get. We are not talking about anything minor here.”

SEVERANCE FOR SHOPIFY EMPLOYEES
• Shopify’s legal obligations to severance

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has alleged that Shopify’s actions can be considered a breach of contract and is pursuing $80 million in damages and $50 million in punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages.