Wealthsimple Layoffs: Severance Pay for Employees

Wealthsimple is a Canadian online investment management company, founded in 2014 by Michael Katchen. Based in Toronto, the service is primarily owned by Power Corporation, through their holdings in Power Financial, IGM Financial and Portag3.

The company provides data-based investment and savings programs for clients in Canada and international regions. It focuses on investing and banking, including cryptocurrency. It’s platforms include Wealthsimple Invest, Wealthsimple Cash, Wealthsimple Trade, Wealthsimple Crypto, and Wealthsimple Tax.

Wealthsimple employs over 1,200 people, with offices in Toronto and New York.

Wealthsimple Layoffs: Severance pay facts

Employees at Wealthsimple are entitled to up to 24 months of severance pay when laid off or terminated without cause, whether full-time, part-time, or hourly. Independent contractors may also qualify for severance if they have been misclassified.

Key Severance Facts

• Severance Pay: Can reach up to 24 months’ pay, based on factors like position, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work. Learn more about severance pay, and explore resources that explain how it works in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.
• What’s Included: In addition to salary, severance may cover bonuses, commissions, and other compensation.
• Deadlines: You have up to two years from termination to pursue severance, regardless of any employer-imposed deadlines, which are not legally enforceable.
• Better Packages: We have successfully secured much larger amounts for individuals employed across a variety of positions, from entry-level jobs to executives.

Layoffs at Wealthsimple, like any other Canadian employer, must comply with employment laws. Generally speaking, employees are entitled to severance packages if they are laid off, even during corporate restructuring or business closures.

Your rights when facing a layoff

• Notice of Termination: Your employer must provide advance notice or pay in lieu of notice.
• Severance Pay: Compensation depends on your age, position, length of service, and ability to find similar work.
• Wrongful Dismissal: If your employer doesn’t meet its obligations, you have grounds for a wrongful dismissal claim.
• Temporary Layoffs: Even a temporary pause in your work can result in a severance package through a constructive dismissal claim.

Employer tactics to watch for

In Canada, employers may employ certain strategies during layoffs to minimize their obligations:

• Pressuring Employees to Sign Quickly: Avoid signing agreements under pressure. Employer deadlines for severance acceptance are not legally binding.
• Misclassification of Roles: Many independent contractors are actually employees entitled to severance.
• Leaving Out Bonuses and Other Compensation: Ensure severance includes all entitlements, such as commissions or accrued bonuses.

How is severance pay calculated for Wealthsimple employees?

Generally speaking, severance pay is meant to bridge the gap between jobs, offering financial stability as you transition. It’s based on several factors:

• Length of Service: Longer tenure often means higher severance.
• Age: Older employees may be entitled to more due to challenges in finding comparable work.
• Position: Senior roles or specialized positions may attract higher compensation.
• Availability of Similar Work: If your skills are in a niche market, severance may increase.
• Employment Contract: A termination clause in your employment agreement may attempt to limit your severance, but these are often unenforceable.

Many employees mistakenly believe they are only entitled to the minimum ESA amounts. In reality, you may be owed up to 24 months’ pay. Use our Severance Pay Calculator to get a quick estimate.

To learn more about how severance works in Canada, watch this quick primer featuring employment lawyer Lior Samfiru:

Wealthsimple Layoffs: Timeline and analysis

Below is a timeline of recent layoffs at Wealthsimple:

• June 2022: Wealthsimple is laying off 159 employees, equivalent to 13 per cent of its workforce. The news comes shortly after the company enacted a hiring freeze amid market volatility in the global technology sector.

Steps to take if you’ve been laid off

If you’ve been affected by Wealthsimple layoffs, here’s what you need to do:

1. Don’t Sign Anything Right Away: Avoid signing severance agreements until you’ve reviewed them with an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.
2. Understand Your Entitlements: Use our Severance Pay Calculator to determine what you’re owed.
3. Speak to an Employment Lawyer: Contact us for a consultation to review your severance package.
4. Document Everything: Keep records of termination notices, severance offers, and communication with HR.

Why choose Samfiru Tumarkin LLP?

Unlike firms that rely heavily on courtroom victories, our proven strategy focuses on maximizing severance packages early in the claim process, helping clients avoid the time, cost, and stress of litigation. With extensive courtroom experience to fall back when necessary, we excel at securing generous severance outcomes quickly and efficiently for our clients.

By prioritizing resolution and client-focused strategies, we’ve successfully helped thousands of non-unionized employees navigate layoffs and terminations with confidence.

Resources for Wealthsimple employees

• Severance for provincially regulated employees
• Severance pay by company
• Severance packages in mass layoffs

If you’re a Wealthsimple employee facing layoffs, you don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. Our experienced employment lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. are ready to stand by your side, protect your rights, and secure the severance and compensation you’re owed. Beyond employment law, Samfiru Tumarkin LLP also offers expert guidance in disability claims and personal injury cases, ensuring comprehensive support for all your legal needs.

As a non-unionized employee, you deserve clear advice and effective solutions for your employment issues. Contact us today or call 1-855-821-5900 for a consultation and take the first step toward 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.