Grindr, the popular LGBTQ+ dating app, has lost about 45% of its staff after a majority of employees announced plans to unionize. The majority of the resignations were voluntary, with employees choosing to leave rather than comply with the company’s mandate that all employees return to the office two days a week.
The company’s return-to-office policy was met with strong resistance from employees, who argued that it was unnecessary and unfair. Many employees also said that they were concerned about the safety of returning to the office during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the end, about 80 of the company’s 178 employees resigned, leaving Grindr dangerously understaffed. The company has said that it is looking to fill the vacancies, but it is unclear how it will do so given the current labor market.
The mass resignations at Grindr are a setback for the company, but they are also a victory for the unionization movement. The resignations show that employees are willing to walk away from their jobs if they feel that their rights are being violated.
The unionization movement is gaining momentum in the tech industry, and Grindr is not the only company that has faced employee backlash over its return-to-office policies. In recent months, employees at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have all announced plans to unionize.
The tech industry is still growing rapidly, and there is a shortage of skilled workers. This gives tech workers a strong bargaining position, and they are likely to continue to demand better treatment from their employers.
In addition to the voluntary resignations, Grindr also gave severance packages to staff who were unable to relocate to one of the company’s “hub” offices. The company said that this was necessary to “ensure that all employees have the opportunity to participate in the hybrid work model.”
However, the CWA, the union that represents Grindr employees, alleged that the severance packages were an attempt to “silence workers from speaking out about their working conditions.” The CWA has filed a labor complaint against the company, alleging that it has violated the National Labor Relations Act.
Grindr has denied the allegations, saying that the severance packages were “offered in good faith” to employees who were unable to relocate. The company has also said that it is committed to “a respectful and productive workplace for all employees.”
The future of Grindr is uncertain. The company is facing a number of challenges, including the mass resignations, the labor complaint, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the company has said that it is committed to “continued growth and innovation.”
