Musicians Club CEO Fires 99 Unpaid Interns After Single Missed Meeting
Musicians Club CEO fires 90% of employees—99 out of 110 staff members—following a single missed morning meeting on November 15. CEO Baldvin Oddsson delivered the termination notice via Slack, primarily affecting unpaid interns and freelancers.
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The termination message stated that only 11 employees who attended the meeting would retain their positions. However, multiple terminated staff members report never receiving meeting notifications or proper Slack channel access.
Key points about the termination:
- Affected workers were primarily unpaid interns and remote workers
- Many employees had no prior warning or meeting notification
- The company targeted classical music students seeking work experience
- Job listings promised potential paid positions in 2025
- Scheduling conflicts were common due to remote work and different time zones
Former employees have exposed the company's business model on social media, revealing its reliance on unpaid remote interns. A recent job listing for an unpaid operations manager position received 51 applications, promising "practical experience" and potential future paid positions.
Oddsson defended his decision on LinkedIn, maintaining it was the right choice for his business despite widespread criticism of his handling of the situation.
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