Former Twitter Employee Requests Elon Musk Deposition

A former Twitter (now referred to as X) employee has petitioned a US federal judge to compel Elon Musk, the social media platform’s owner, to undergo a seven-hour deposition regarding his involvement in a significant workforce reduction at the company. 

The request comes after several lawsuits alleging breaches of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, with Musk purportedly possessing crucial knowledge relevant to these legal proceedings.

Elon Musk Role in Mass Layoffs:

Elon Musk, who assumed leadership at Twitter in 2022 and subsequently initiated a series of layoffs, is at the center of multiple legal disputes regarding compliance with state and federal laws governing notification requirements preceding mass terminations. 

Despite stepping down as Twitter’s CEO in June 2023, Musk retained his position as chief technology officer, thereby maintaining influence over company decisions.

Legal Ramifications and Arbitration Actions:

In response to Musk’s layoffs, former employees have initiated nearly 2,000 individual arbitration cases, alleging violations of employment laws. 

Legal representatives at Lichten & Liss-Riordan underscored Twitter’s delay in producing relevant documents and testimonies, which is impeding the progress of legal proceedings and exacerbating concerns surrounding Musk’s involvement.

Elon Musk Personal Accountability:

According to a letter from Shannon Liss-Riordan, co-founder of Lichten & Liss-Riordan, evidence indicates that Elon Musk possessed firsthand knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the layoffs. 

The letter attributes him with significant responsibility for shaping Twitter’s policies and operational strategies post-acquisition. Musk’s purported emphasis on cost-cutting measures and workforce reduction initiatives is emphasized.

Exhausted Discovery Methods and Impediments to Inquiry:

The petitioner, a former Twitter employee, contends that conventional discovery methods have been exhausted, necessitating Musk’s deposition to obtain critical insights into pre-acquisition layoff plans and decision-making processes. 

Executives have reportedly been unable to provide comprehensive responses regarding Musk’s involvement in terminating employees and the selection criteria.

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