Florida Tech Giant Faces Lawsuit Over Job Cuts and Age Discrimination

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In a recent legal twist, Kaseya, the Miami-based software company known for its sponsorship of the Heat’s arena, is being sued by a former employee over job layoffs. Angelo Rodriguez, who was 57 when he was let go, is claiming wrongful termination and age discrimination in his lawsuit filed on July 3, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Rodriguez, who had been working remotely from Texas, alleges that Kaseya not only failed to follow federal regulations for large-scale layoffs but also unfairly targeted him due to his age. According to Rodriguez, despite consistently receiving high performance reviews and accolades, he was dismissed under the guise of “performance-based terminations.”

The Layoffs and Allegations

In early April 2024, Kaseya cut more than 150 positions. At the time, company spokesperson Xavier Gonzalez explained that these layoffs were based on performance. However, Rodriguez disputes this, citing that his performance had been praised until his termination. He had even received an “Exceptional Performance” award just a month before being let go, largely due to securing a significant sales deal.

Kaseya, which moved from Silicon Valley to Miami around 2015, was recently in the spotlight for receiving up to $4.6 million in subsidies from Miami-Dade County as part of a local hiring initiative. The company’s high-profile relocation and sponsorship of the Miami Heat’s arena, known as the Kaseya Center, added to its visibility.

Legal Claims

Rodriguez’s lawsuit accuses Kaseya of violating several federal laws including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. The WARN Act mandates advance notice for large layoffs, a requirement Rodriguez argues Kaseya did not meet.

Additionally, the lawsuit includes a class-action component, potentially affecting other employees who were terminated in April. Rodriguez also challenges a release form that was required for a $250 severance payment, claiming it is invalid.

Kaseya’s Response

Kaseya has not commented publicly on the specifics of the lawsuit but has stated through a company spokesperson that they do not discuss personnel matters that involve potential litigation. The company has until August 13 to respond to the allegations in court.

As the legal battle unfolds, Rodriguez and his attorneys are pushing for accountability and compensation for what they claim was an unfair dismissal process. The case not only highlights individual grievances but also raises broader questions about corporate practices in employee layoffs and age discrimination.

For now, the legal proceedings will continue, and we’ll be watching to see how this case impacts Kaseya and its employees in the coming months.