Netflix Fires Employee Over Trans Worker Walkout

Netflix Terminates Employee Following Planned Walkout

An employee who spearheaded Netflix’s trans employee resource group and was instrumental in organizing a walkout scheduled for October 20th has been dismissed from the company. This information was verified by both a current and a former Netflix staff member who shared details with TechCrunch.

The planned walkout was initiated as a direct response to statements made by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos regarding the recent release of Dave Chappelle’s comedy special, “The Closer.” Netflix maintains that the termination stemmed from suspicions that the individual disclosed confidential company data.

Confidential Information Leak Allegations

A Netflix spokesperson communicated to TechCrunch: “An employee was let go due to the sharing of proprietary, confidential information with parties outside the company.” The representative further stated, “While we recognize this employee’s actions may have been driven by disappointment and distress concerning Netflix, upholding a foundation of trust and transparency remains central to our operational principles.”

The information reportedly leaked consisted of internal performance metrics related to “The Closer,” which were subsequently published in a Bloomberg report. This report detailed Netflix’s investment of $24.1 million in the special. For comparison, the company allocated $3.9 million to Bo Burnham’s “Inside” and $21.4 million to the highly successful nine-episode series “Squid Game,” Netflix’s most popular premiere to date.

Controversy Surrounding “The Closer”

Prior to the release of “The Closer” earlier this month, concerns were voiced by employees regarding potentially damaging anti-trans jokes contained within the show. Chappelle explicitly identifies as being “Team TERF,” a term referencing trans-exclusionary radical feminists who define gender by biological sex and oppose transgender rights advocacy.

Despite these concerns, Netflix proceeded with the special’s release on October 5th, prompting criticism from both employees and subscribers.

Employee Response and Public Discourse

Terra Field, a trans software engineer at Netflix, posted a widely circulated Twitter thread the day following the special’s debut, outlining the detrimental effects of anti-trans rhetoric. Field asserted: “Providing a platform for TERF ideology, as we did yesterday, directly causes harm to trans individuals; it is not a neutral stance. This is not a debate with equal sides. It is a conflict between trans people seeking to live and those who wish to deny them that right.”

A link to the Twitter thread can be found here: https://twitter.com/RainofTerra/status/1445914236668895236

Hannah Gadsby, a lesbian comedian known for her acclaimed Netflix special “Nanette,” publicly criticized Ted Sarandos’ portrayal of her as a representative of queer inclusivity within Netflix.

“You did not compensate me sufficiently to address the genuine repercussions of the hate speech you seemingly disregard, Ted,” Gadsby wrote on Instagram. “I condemn you and your ethically questionable algorithmic system.”

Calls for Subscription Cancellations

In response to the firing of the walkout organizer, some individuals are sharing links to cancelnetflix.com, which directs users to Netflix’s subscription cancellation support page.

Netflix’s official LGBTQ+ account, Most, acknowledged receiving user feedback and stated their commitment to advocating for improved queer representation. “We have been reviewing your comments and utilizing them to further our efforts in championing greater and more meaningful queer representation.” The account concluded with, “Okay, you may now resume expressing your discontent.”