Twitter Employee’s $600K Jackpot: How Ignoring Musk’s Email Paid Off Big Time

Twitter’s Most Expensive ‘Missed Email’: How One Employee Turned Elon’s Ultimatum Into a $600K Windfall

In the chaotic world of Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, one man’s oversight turned into a $600,000 payday. Gary Rooney, former director at Twitter’s Dublin HQ, just pulled off what might be the most profitable email ignore in corporate history—proving that sometimes, not clicking that link can be the smartest career move ever.

When Musk fired off his now-infamous “hardcore” ultimatum to Twitter staff worldwide, giving them just 24 hours to pledge allegiance to his vision or accept severance, Rooney made a fateful decision: he thought the email looked like spam and simply didn’t respond in time.

The Email That Cost Musk Over $600,000

Let’s rewind to those early, turbulent days of Musk’s Twitter reign. Fresh after his $44 billion acquisition (now valued at a staggering 72% less), the tech billionaire was determined to reshape the company in his image with an approach that could only be described as… intense.

“Going forward, to build a breakthrough Twitter 2.0 and succeed in an increasingly competitive world, we will need to be extremely hardcore,” Musk wrote in his company-wide ultimatum. “This will mean working long hours at high intensity. Only exceptional performance will constitute a passing grade.”

The email included a link employees needed to click to signify they were “in” for this new vision. The catch? Staff had roughly 24 hours to decide their fate, regardless of timezone, family circumstances, or local employment laws.

When ‘Spam’ Turns Into a Golden Ticket

Enter Gary Rooney, Twitter’s director of ‘source to pay’ in Dublin. When Musk’s ultimatum landed in his inbox, Rooney claims he initially thought it was suspicious and ignored it. Records later showed he did open the email and even discussed with a colleague that he needed to “step away” and think about such a major decision.

But before Rooney could properly consider his options, HR informed him that his failure to click the link was considered a voluntary resignation. Just like that, his position at Twitter was terminated.

Rather than accepting his fate, Rooney took his case to Ireland’s Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), arguing that he never indicated any desire to resign and that 24 hours was an unreasonable timeframe for such a significant decision.

The $600K Verdict That Has Tech Workers Cheering

In what many are calling a victory for employee rights in the tech industry, the WRC ruled firmly in Rooney’s favor. They determined that Musk’s 24-hour ultimatum was unreasonable and that non-response to an email could not legally constitute resignation.

The commission awarded Rooney €550,131 ($607,802) to compensate for lost earnings, both between his termination and the case decision, and also for future projected losses. That’s one expensive email Musk probably wishes he’d never sent.

This case highlights the potential pitfalls of Musk’s notorious management style, which has sometimes been described as impulsive and confrontational. While his cost-cutting measures did successfully reduce Twitter’s workforce by approximately 80% (from 7,500 employees to around 1,500), they’ve also resulted in expensive legal battles and settlements.

Musk’s Twitter Revolution: Two Years Later

It’s been a rollercoaster ride since Musk acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X. From mass layoffs to radical platform changes, the billionaire’s tenure has been anything but boring. However, with the platform reportedly now worth just 28% of what Musk paid for it, even his most ardent supporters are questioning the wisdom of his $44 billion purchase.

The Rooney case represents just one of many challenges Musk has faced in his quest to transform Twitter. While his vision for a more streamlined, hardcore working environment may appeal to some, this expensive settlement demonstrates that rapid corporate restructuring comes with significant legal risks, especially when operating across different countries with varying labor laws.

The Lesson? Always Read Your Email (Or Don’t)

The irony of Rooney’s situation isn’t lost on anyone following this saga. In a twist that feels like something out of an office comedy, ignoring what appeared to be a suspicious email resulted in a six-figure windfall.

For employees caught in similar corporate upheavals, Rooney’s case serves as a reminder that hasty ultimatums and forced resignations can sometimes backfire spectacularly. It also highlights the importance of understanding your employment rights and being willing to challenge decisions that seem unfair or legally questionable.

As for Musk, perhaps the lesson is that even the world’s richest man can’t always rewrite workplace rules overnight—at least not without paying a hefty price in the process.