Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has been ordered to pay over €550,000 (approximately Rs 5 crore) in compensation to a former senior employee in its Irish unit. This ruling by Ireland’s Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) marks the largest award for an unfair dismissal case in the agency’s history, highlighting the legal challenges following Musk’s takeover of the platform in late 2022.
The Case of Gary Rooney vs. Twitter
Gary Rooney, a senior procurement executive at Twitter’s Dublin office since 2013, saw his employment abruptly terminated in December 2022. The dismissal followed a controversial email from Elon Musk outlining his vision for “Twitter 2.0,” which demanded extreme dedication and long working hours. Employees were asked to click “yes” to commit to the new working conditions, with those who didn’t comply receiving three months’ severance and being considered resigned.
Rooney chose not to click “yes” and was subsequently locked out of his work accounts, effectively ending his employment. While the company argued that Rooney’s non-compliance was a voluntary resignation, Rooney contended that he was unfairly dismissed without proper communication or due process.
The WRC Ruling
After a thorough investigation, the WRC rejected X’s claim that Rooney had resigned. The adjudication officer, Michael MacNamee, concluded that Rooney’s failure to respond to Musk’s email could not be interpreted as a resignation. The ruling emphasized that Rooney was willing to work but was unjustly prevented from doing so.
As a result, X has been ordered to pay Rooney €550,000 in compensation. This record-breaking award reflects the significant financial and professional impact Rooney faced after his dismissal. Following his job loss at Twitter, Rooney struggled to find a comparable position, eventually securing lower-paying employment with a bank in September 2023.
