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No, that's still "fired". Don't get me wrong, it's an entirely legitimate reason to fire someone - but one doesn't quit unless they actually submit the uncondit

No, that's still "fired". Don't get me wrong, it's an entirely legitimate reason to fire someone - but one doesn't quit unless they actually submit the unconditional resignation. What she did was threaten to quit, and Google (rightfully, IMO) fired her as a consequence of that threat (plus previous email where she was advising colleagues to stop working on some company initiatives - that was very likely a preview of things to come, had she stayed any longer at the company).

JamesBarney 6y ago
Probably "AI researcher was let go after threatening resignation" is probably the most accurate description. Also "AI researcher was let go after submitting resignation letter" is pretty close to accurate. But if we had to choose between "AI researcher resigned" and "AI research was fired" I think the first would give you a more accurate idea of questions like "did she submit a resignation letter" (yes), or "who initiated the break up" I feel resignation tells you she initiated it, which I think that is closer to the truth Google initiating it.
- JamesBarney 6y ago
  Doing more research it looks like in many legal cases an ultimatum does count as a resignation letter if it's believed to be sincere.
- virgilp 6y ago
  I don't know - the outcome was desired by the management (who jumped at the opportunity to "accept" it) but not by her (who publicly complained about it). That tilts it towards "fired" for me - I believe she miscalculated how desirable she was (as an employee), and made the resignation threat believing management would do their best to avoid that outcome.
harrisonjackson 6y ago
There is a lot we don't know about the terms of her resignation/ultimatum and early termination. For all we know she is still getting paid for X weeks but was asked to not come in. Unless she files for unemployment it doesn't really matter though.
lsaferite 6y ago
If one of my engineers emailed me saying they would quit unless I conceded to some set of demands then I would very likely have HR accept that resignation on the spot, terminate their access, and deal with any contractual separation concerns. If you weren't serious about resigning, you shouldn't have made the threat.

JamesBarney 6y ago

Probably "AI researcher was let go after threatening resignation" is probably the most accurate description. Also "AI researcher was let go after submitting resignation letter" is pretty close to accurate. But if we had to choose between "AI researcher resigned" and "AI research was fired" I think the first would give you a more accurate idea of questions like "did she submit a resignation letter" (yes), or "who initiated the break up" I feel resignation tells you she initiated it, which I think that is closer to the truth Google initiating it.

JamesBarney 6y ago
Doing more research it looks like in many legal cases an ultimatum does count as a resignation letter if it's believed to be sincere.
virgilp 6y ago
I don't know - the outcome was desired by the management (who jumped at the opportunity to "accept" it) but not by her (who publicly complained about it). That tilts it towards "fired" for me - I believe she miscalculated how desirable she was (as an employee), and made the resignation threat believing management would do their best to avoid that outcome.

harrisonjackson 6y ago

There is a lot we don't know about the terms of her resignation/ultimatum and early termination. For all we know she is still getting paid for X weeks but was asked to not come in. Unless she files for unemployment it doesn't really matter though.

lsaferite 6y ago

If one of my engineers emailed me saying they would quit unless I conceded to some set of demands then I would very likely have HR accept that resignation on the spot, terminate their access, and deal with any contractual separation concerns. If you weren't serious about resigning, you shouldn't have made the threat.