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Tech workers in Vancouver are shrinking as the global tech industry adjusts to life amid the pandemic and companies are laying off hundreds of workers as demand shifts.
On Wednesday, Vancouver-based software company Unbounce said it is reducing its workforce by nearly 20 percent, cutting 47 jobs. Two days later, a local online furniture retailer announced that Article 217 was laying off workers.
“It’s not your fault, it’s mine,” Article CEO and founder Amir Baig said in a memo to employees on the company’s website.
“We assumed the online shopping trend would continue. That didn’t happen, and it’s since returned to pre-Covid trends.”
Elizabeth Brunet, who has worked in the tech industry for nearly 10 years, was one of the remote workers recently laid off at Unbounce. She says it’s a sad situation but not completely unexpected.
Brunett has seen major technological changes in the first two years of Covid-19 as people switch jobs and work remotely.
In the face of lockdowns and public health measures, some companies have had to close operations and cut wages — while others have seen significant growth, Brunet said.
Businesses like Shopify and Zoom have accommodated people stuck at home by offering them the chance to shop online or connect with family and friends over the Internet.
But now things are changing again, says Brunet. While some businesses have been able to continue to thrive, those betting big on e-commerce say they are not seeing the continued traffic and industry growth predicted during the pandemic.
“The pendulum has swung the other way and it’s kind of the industry now,” Brunet said in an interview.
On July 26, Shopify was one of the first large Canadian tech companies to announce layoffs. About 10 percent of the workforce—about 1,000 workers—were laid off.
Still, BCNDP Works Minister Ravi Kahlon insists Vancouver’s tech industry is generally doing well.
“Some companies are laying off some workers, that’s actually a trend we’ve seen around the world,” Kahlon told CBC. “But we know that there are a lot of medium and small companies that can absorb that ability very quickly.”
“The demand for tech workers in Vancouver is high,” Kahlon said. “Last year alone, we had 14 companies worth over a billion dollars.”
Advantages and disadvantages
Brunett says working in tech has both upsides and downsides, and most people are well aware of the risks.
It’s great to be able to work from home and be a part of fun and creative businesses, she said — but you always know there’s always a chance the company could downsize or change direction based on market trends.
Laying off employees can be a tough decision for management teams, but she says she’s not taking it personally.
“Ultimately, it’s just understanding that the business is adapting to the market, and that’s what the business needs to do,” she said. “People’s habits have changed, the way people shop has changed and the way people work has changed.”
Brunet said she was humbled by the support among tech workers, including some recently laid off and others reaching out to share new opportunities.
She says she’s resting on her feet and looking forward to “the next adventure.”
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