OpenAI has recently announced a significant change in its policy regarding non-disparagement agreements (NDAs) for ex-employees. The company has decided to release former employees from controversial NDAs, as reported by CNBC. This development comes after criticism of a policy that tied ex-employees’ stock to non-disparagement agreements as part of their exit agreements.
According to leaked documents obtained by Vox, OpenAI had previously informed departing employees that their shares could be revoked if they spoke negatively about the company in public. This practice raised concerns among former employees, particularly regarding discussions about the company’s priorities and mission.
In response to the backlash, OpenAI stated that it will remove non-disparagement clauses from its standard departure paperwork. The company emphasized that it has never retracted vested equity, even when employees did not sign the departure documents. OpenAI also mentioned that it will release former employees from existing non-disparagement obligations unless the provision was mutual.
The controversy surrounding the NDAs prompted OpenAI to acknowledge its mistake and apologize for the situation. A spokesperson for the company expressed regret for only addressing the issue now, stressing that the language in the NDAs did not align with OpenAI’s values or desired company culture.
Moreover, OpenAI also made headlines recently for taking away ChatGPT-4o’s voice ‘Sky,’ which was likened to actress Scarlett Johansson. The company clarified that the voice feature was not intended to mimic the actress and took action to address any misconceptions.
Overall, OpenAI’s decision to revise its policy on NDAs reflects a commitment to transparency and employee welfare. By releasing ex-employees from non-disparagement obligations and apologizing for the controversy, OpenAI aims to uphold its values and foster a positive work environment for current and former staff members.
