Atlassian Accused of Illegally Firing Engineer Over CEO Criticism

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The National Labor Relations Board has accused software company Atlassian of illegally firing a software engineer, Denise Unterwurzacher, for criticizing the company's CEO and workplace changes. The NLRB claims Unterwurzacher was exercising her rights under US labor law when she repeatedly spoke out against issues like changes to employee titles, and that Atlassian's decision to terminate her "would upend well-established principles" of worker protections.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between tech companies and their employees over free speech rights in the workplace. It also raises questions about how far companies can go in disciplining workers for criticizing leadership, even if that criticism is direct or unflattering.

The details

According to the NLRB, Unterwurzacher had been vocal about her concerns over workplace changes at Atlassian, including alterations to employee titles. The labor board alleges she was acting within her rights under US labor law when she repeatedly spoke her mind, including describing the company's CEO as a "rich jerk." The NLRB claims Atlassian's decision to fire Unterwurzacher for her comments was an illegal violation of her protected rights as a worker.

• The hearing took place on March 3, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The NLRB case against Atlassian is ongoing, and a judge will need to rule on whether the company's firing of Unterwurzacher was legal under US labor laws.