Atlassian illegally fired software engineer Denise Unterwurzacher in 2023 for criticizing CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes during a company restructuring, according to the National Labor Relations Board. The case centers on whether employees can be terminated for speaking out against executive leadership.
The incident occurred after Cannon-Brookes announced a "re-leveling" plan that would cut headcount and demote employees. During an employee meeting where leadership downplayed the impact, Cannon-Brookes reportedly became angry with complaining workers while participating from his co-owned NBA team's headquarters.