As Bench, a multi-million-dollar funded Canadian accounting start-up, abruptly halted operations last December, its fallout was felt by numerous disgruntled customers. Employer.com, an emerging HR tech company, acquired Bench spurring challenges for its existing clients needing to access their financial data.
Bench, known for its adeptness in accounting and tax, ceased operations, leaving countless businesses stranded without their crucial financial records. Consequently, Bench was taken over by Employer.com, an entity heavily invested in payroll and onboarding. This was a controversial decision as Employer.com lacks expertise in tax and accounting, the core areas of Bench’s operation.
Now as Bench’s successor, Employer.com demands customers’ consent for data transfer to enable its accessibility. Some customers feel trapped, compelled to agree to the revised terms as they cannot download their data otherwise. Eventually, providing consent led them unknowingly to sign up for continued Bench’s services.
Many long-tenured Bench clients have voiced their discomfort with this practice and are considering switching providers, feeling that Employer.com is unfamiliar with managing a business of this nature.
The discord extends further as when one client tried to retrieve his five years’ worth of records; he was met with “a consent button” restricting refunds. Although later that clause was abolished, the dissatisfaction persists.
In response, Employer.com articulated that customers’ access to data is subject to their consent, permitting it to process the data for downloading. Once consented, customers can control their data in the way they prefer. Those seeking refunds for future services which Bench can no longer provide would need to contact the bankruptcy trustee for Bench Accounting Inc.
Overall, the consequence of Bench’s sudden closure and subsequent acquisition by Employer.com has put its customers in a tough spot, trying to retain their valuable financial data.
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