“Gary Rooney was told he had resigned voluntarily by not replying to the billionaire’s email about Twitter 2.0“
[Ex-Twitter worker wins £470,000 for unfair dismissal over Musk ‘hardcore’ email] https://t.co/3Rk7VcIQxj
— Norio Nakatsuji (@norionakatsuji) August 14, 2024
Gary Rooney, a former senior employee at Twitter’s European headquarters in Ireland, has been awarded over €550,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in an unfair dismissal case. The social media platform, now rebranded as X, argued that Rooney had voluntarily resigned after failing to respond to an email from new owner Elon Musk.
In November 2022, shortly after Musk’s $44 billion takeover, he emailed staff outlining his vision for “Twitter 2.0.” The message, referred to as the “Fork in the Road,” required employees to commit to working “long hours at high intensity” and achieving “exceptional performance.” Staff had 24 hours to click “yes” to agree to these terms or receive three months’ severance pay.
Twitter told to pay Irish exec €550k …In a 73-page ruling, labour authority said k came to an end solely because he did not click yes to an email. Twitter claimed he should be found 100% responsible for his loss. https://t.co/CTEdghkezs
— Lisa O'Carroll (@lisaocarroll) August 13, 2024
Rooney, who had been with the company since 2013, did not click “yes.” Three days later, he received another email stating that he was deemed resigned and his access to Twitter systems had been deactivated. Rooney maintained that he had never indicated his resignation or accepted any separation agreement. During the five-day hearing in Dublin, Rooney expressed his love for his job before Musk’s takeover.
Elon Musk paid $44B for Twitter/𝕏 . Yes he may have overpaid but it was worth it to make sure free speech stays alive. Let that sink in.
pic.twitter.com/KDlFMWA4Fq— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) August 13, 2024
WRC rules against Twitter in Ireland
He shared messages with colleagues, revealing his reservations about the changes, saying, “Twitter 2.0 won’t be for you and me.”
Twitter’s senior director of human resources, Lauren Wegman, testified that out of 270 staff members who received the email, 235 clicked “yes.” The company accepted the resignations of the remaining 35 employees. WRC adjudicator Michael MacNamee found that 24 hours was not “reasonable notice” and that Rooney’s messages to colleagues were not relevant to the termination of his employment.
The record-breaking €550,131 award includes Rooney’s lost remuneration and estimated future losses. Barry Kenny, Rooney’s solicitor, welcomed the decision, stating, “It is not okay for Mr Musk, or indeed any large company, to treat employees in such a manner in this country. The record award reflects the seriousness and the gravity of the case.
The ruling highlights the challenges and upheavals that followed Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, which fired over 6,000 employees, approximately 80% of the total workforce.
The company can appeal to the Labour Court within 42 days.
