Twitter (X) ordered to pay Rs 5 crore compensation to former employee fired for not replying to Elon Musk’s mail

Twitter, now rebranded as X, has been ordered to pay €550,000 (roughly ₹5 crore) to former worker Gary Rooney after an unfair dismissal case. In keeping with a report in Fortune, the choice, handed down by Eire’s Office Relations Fee, is the biggest compensation ever awarded by the company. Rooney, who had labored at Twitter’s Eire unit since 2013, was dismissed in December 2022 following Elon Musk’s takeover of the social media platform.

What Led to the Dismissal

In November 2022, shortly after buying Twitter, Elon Musk issued a company-wide e mail requiring staff to decide to “lengthy hours at excessive depth” or face termination with three months of severance pay. Staff, together with Rooney, got at some point to resolve by clicking “sure” to just accept the brand new working circumstances.Musk’s e mail said: “In case you are certain that you just wish to be a part of the brand new Twitter, please click on sure on the hyperlink under.” Those that didn’t comply would obtain three months of severance.

The Dispute

Twitter, now X, argued that Rooney had voluntarily resigned by not clicking “sure” on Musk’s ultimatum. Nevertheless, the Irish Office Relations Fee rejected this argument. The Fee dominated that Rooney’s dismissal was unfair, resulting in the file compensation award.

Rooney’s solicitor, Barry Kenny, emphasised the seriousness of the case, stating, “It isn’t OK for Mr. Musk, or certainly any giant firm, to deal with staff in such a fashion on this nation or jurisdiction. The file award displays the seriousness and the gravity of the case.”

Background

Elon Musk, the Tesla billionaire, acquired Twitter in October 2022 for $44 billion. Following the acquisition, he laid off practically half of the corporate’s staff and issued the ultimatum to the remaining employees, which led to Rooney’s dismissal.