August 13th, 2024

Musk ordered to pay X employee £470k for unfair dismissal

Gary Rooney received £470,000 for unfair dismissal after not responding to an email from Elon Musk about a demanding work culture. The ruling highlights concerns over employee treatment at Twitter.

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Musk ordered to pay X employee £470k for unfair dismissal

A former Twitter employee, Gary Rooney, has been awarded £470,000 for unfair dismissal after he did not respond to an email from Elon Musk that called for employees to be "extremely hardcore." Rooney, who worked as a director in Twitter's Dublin office, was deemed to have resigned voluntarily when he failed to click "yes" on Musk's email, which outlined a demanding work culture and offered severance pay to those who chose not to participate. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in Ireland ruled that Rooney's dismissal was unfair, noting that he had not indicated any intention to resign. The case highlighted the mixed reactions among employees to Musk's leadership style, with some embracing the changes while others felt pressured. The WRC's decision included compensation for lost wages and future earnings, marking it as a significant ruling in employment law. Rooney's solicitor emphasized the importance of the ruling, stating that it sends a message about the treatment of employees in the workplace.

- Gary Rooney was awarded £470,000 for unfair dismissal by Twitter.

- The dismissal was linked to an email from Elon Musk demanding a "hardcore" work culture.

- Rooney did not respond to the email, leading Twitter to claim he resigned voluntarily.

- The Workplace Relations Commission found the dismissal to be unfair.

- The ruling reflects broader concerns about employee treatment under Musk's leadership.

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By @guywithahat - 2 months
> In the email, Musk wrote: “If you are sure that you want to be part of the new Twitter, please click yes on the link below,” adding that staff who did not would receive three months’ severance pay.

> Ireland’s Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the country’s employment tribunal, heard that Rooney did not click “yes”.

> Three days later, on 19 November, he received another email from the company “to acknowledge your decision to resign and accept the voluntary separation offer”.

Honestly I see Elon’s point. I don’t have much knowledge on employment law in Ireland but I can see how they took this as a resignation