OpenAI Drops Controversial Non-Disparagement Clauses for Former Employees
OpenAI releases former staff from strict non-disparagement agreements and confirms it will not revoke their vested equity. The company apologizes for the previous departure process and promises to remove these clauses from standard paperwork.
OpenAI backtracks on a controversial policy that forces departing employees to sign a lifelong non-disparagement agreement to keep their vested equity. An internal memo viewed by CNBC confirms that the company cancels these strict provisions and releases former staff from any previously signed non-solicitation or non-disparagement contracts.
The artificial intelligence company states that it never actually cancels vested units, even if former employees refuse to sign the departure documents. Moving forward, OpenAI plans to eliminate non-disparagement clauses from its standard exit paperwork entirely, unless the provision is mutual.
This policy reversal comes amid a week of mounting controversies for OpenAI, which recently pulls a ChatGPT voice that closely resembles actress Scarlett Johansson. A company spokesperson expresses deep regret over the previous exit requirements, admitting that the restrictive language fails to reflect the organization's core values.