Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard for $69B: Employee rights

After navigating multiple regulatory hurdles, Microsoft has been given the green light to acquire a video game giant.

In social media posts on Oct. 13, Britain’s top competition watchdog announced that it has approved the company’s revised deal to purchase Activision Blizzard for US$69 billion.

“We’ve cleared the new deal for Microsoft to buy Activision without cloud gaming rights,” the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said.

“In August, Microsoft made a concession that would see Ubisoft, instead of Microsoft, buy Activision’s cloud gaming rights. This new deal will stop [the company] from locking up competition in cloud gaming, preserving competitive prices and services for U.K. cloud gamers.”

Shortly after the CMA’s announcement, Microsoft President Brad Smith celebrated the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter.

We’re grateful for the CMA’s thorough review and decision today. We have now crossed the final regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide.

— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) October 13, 2023

The tech giant has had its sights set on major video game companies in recent years.

In March 2021, Microsoft closed its US$7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax, the parent company of Bethesda. Bethesda’s portfolio includes several award-winning games, such as Oblivion, Fallout 3, and Skyrim.

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As Activision Blizzard prepares to join the Microsoft family, here are a few things that non-unionized employees in Canada need to be aware of.

Who pays severance if Microsoft doesn’t want to keep certain Activision Blizzard employees?

If the sale of Activision Blizzard to Microsoft results in you losing your job, then Activision Blizzard must provide you with full severance pay.

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 Microsoft provides you with an employment offer, and you have a good reason for why you don’t want to accept it (i.e. different hours or pay), you might be able to get full severance pay from Activision Blizzard.

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

How is severance pay calculated?

Severance for non-unionized employees in Canada can be as much as 24 months’ pay.

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

The amount of compensation you are entitled to is calculated using several factors, including:

• Age
• Length of service
• Position at the company
• Ability to find new work

To figure out how much you could be owed, use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their severance entitlements.

If your company doesn’t provide you with the correct amount, you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP immediately.

We regularly resolve wrongful dismissal claims and can help you secure proper severance.

LEARN MORE
• Rights to severance for provincially regulated employees
• Severance packages in mass layoffs
• Severance pay in a recession

Can Microsoft make major changes to the jobs of Activision Blizzard employees?

In Canada, non-unionized employees at Activision Blizzard don’t have to accept substantial changes to their job that Microsoft 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 is 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 that you have been constructively dismissed, don’t resign before contacting our firm.

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

New employment contracts for Activision Blizzard staff

If you work for Activision Blizzard in Canada, and you receive a new employment contract from Microsoft, 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

Received a job offer? Speak with an employment lawyer

Before accepting a new employment contract, have the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP review the agreement to make sure your workplace rights are protected.

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

We can help you better understand the terms of the contract and advise you on how best to navigate the situation.