Web Summit Vancouver is taking place from May 27 to 30, 2025, drawing over 15,000 attendees from 120 countries to the Vancouver Convention Centre.
This marks the first time the international tech conference is being held in Canada. Founded in Ireland in 2009, Web Summit has grown to include regional events in cities like Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, and now Vancouver.
The 2025 event features panels on topics such as artificial intelligence, social media, and global investment trends. Speakers include Jay Graber (Bluesky), Ivan Zhang (Cohere), and Cornel West (author and philosopher).
According to local organizers and business leaders, the event presents an opportunity for companies in British Columbia to connect with investors, promote regional innovation, and recruit skilled professionals.
As new job opportunities emerge following events like Web Summit, it’s important for workers – especially those in the tech sector – to understand what to consider before signing a new employment contract.
Thinking of Taking a New Job in B.C.’s Tech Sector? Here’s What to Watch Out For
As B.C.’s innovation sector grows, so do the employment opportunities. But before you sign a new employment contract, here are key things non-unionized workers should keep in mind.
1. Review your new employment contract carefully
Most new hires in B.C. will be asked to sign an employment contract – and it may not always be in your favour. Watch out for clauses that:
- Limit your severance pay to the bare minimum
- Allow your employer to change your job duties or pay
- Set strict termination terms that don’t reflect your legal rights
WATCH: Lior Samfiru explains what to look for in an employment contract on the Employment Law Show.
✅ Before signing anything, speak with a Vancouver employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. We’ll make sure your rights are protected.
2. Probationary periods matter
Many tech employers in BC include probation clauses in new contracts. If yours does, your severance entitlements may be limited at first.
3. Understand your severance rights
If you’re fired or let go without cause, you could be owed as much as 24 months’ pay. Your severance depends on:
- Your age
- Your role
- How long you worked there
- How easy it will be to find a similar job
If you quit your current job to join a new company and are let go soon after, your severance could be limited – unless you were recruited (see below).
4. Were you recruited? That matters.
If a company enticed you away from your previous job – promising better opportunities, growth, or compensation – and then let you go shortly after, they may owe you enhanced severance pay.
🧠 Example: You leave your job after being recruited to a Vancouver-based AI start-up you met at Web Summit. If you’re let go a few months later, the company could be on the hook for inducement-based severance.
5. Short-service employees may still be entitled to more severance than expected
Even if you’re only with a company for a year or less, you’re likely owed a substantial amount of compensation if you’re let go. Don’t sign a severance offer without a review – you may be entitled to far more.
Got a Job Offer After Web Summit?
Whether you’re considering a role at a local start-up or a global tech firm expanding into B.C., it’s critical to understand what you’re signing.
📩 Before you accept an offer, let the employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP review your contract. We’ll help you make sure your rights are fully protected.
👉 Need help now? Contact us for a consultation.
