Spotify’s APAC head of automation and data, Dan Robins, departs

“Made redundant while on paternity leave” is really not a good look for Spotify….

Totally agree.

I thought they had one of the most progressive policy around paternity leave in the country . “At Spotify, we offer six months fully paid parental leave to all employees (regardless of your gender and of how you become a parent).” They also have a “Welcome back!” programme so that returning staff can “ease back into their job with the ability to work from home, on a part-time schedule and with flexible hours”. Parents at Spotify will be able to take their leave up to the child’s third birthday.

‘While on parental leave’ isn’t necessarily code for anything, though in this instance, it sure looks like it is.
Roles can actually legitimately be made redundant, even while on parental leave.

Poor form with regard to timing from Spotify but Dan is a quality operator and top bloke. Any organisation would be lucky to have him onboard so looking forward to seeing where he lands.

Massive loss for Spotify, Dan has always been a pleasure to work with, and well respected in the industry. Seems like some of the shine is wearing off?

“Made redundant while on paternity leave” – FFS

He’s a clever guy, you’d be mad not to snap him up.

Made redundant while on paternity leave. All class, Spotify.

Spotify should be ashamed of themselves – sacking anybody (redundancy or no redundancy) whilst on maternity leave is terrible form – Sweden would be disappointed!

Trying to attract talent with 6 months maternity leave and using the excuse to make them redundant whilst actually taking it is terrible form. Time for upper management to understand that staff shouldn’t be punished for having a family!

Sad day for Spotify’s brand…

While on Paternity leave? Really, Spotify?
Not a good look let alone policy.

What a pack of arseholes. Hope it ends up infront of Fairwork. American firms with poor HR practices need to be held to account in Australia — It’s rife!

That it is – ask anyone left in adtech.

Americans dont do HR well at all and generally believe the rest of the world can be sacked with no notice and deserve 2 weeks annual leave a year.

Dan is terrific and will get snapped up but just pointing out, Spotify isn’t an American company…

Dan is a stellar guy and stellar talent, someone else will be extremely lucky to have him

Perhaps Spotify could replace the head of automation and data role with a new head of people and culture? Sounds like they need it.

people make all these comments regarding Spotify without knowing the facts. What if spotify had a discussion with Dan and offered him another role and he agreed to take a redundancy? What if he requested the role be made redundant? People always comment about campaigns and businesses without knowing objectives or background . I have no idea if Spotify acted well or poorly here but those questions should be asked first . I know the article also said Spotify and Robbins declined to comment but maybe they are busy. In summary – think before you comment unless you are happy to potentially damage reputations unfairly

It seems Spotify still has a PR/Comms person working there – am I right, “blah”?? 😉

I feel the comments are justified as if the circumstances were above board, surely Dan and/or Spotify would make that clear.

Having only crossed paths with Dan a little, I also believe he’s an asset and will be snapped up somewhere soon. Best of luck to him.

What if he wasn’t an asset for Spotify?

….he’s a gun so there is your theory debunked

This is poor form by Spotify but sadly this happens to women ALL the time while they are on maternity leave! Maternity or paternity redundancy – it’s wrong!

Wow in this day and age how does such bad management from HR, comms and snr management still go on?
Not available for comment – yikes!
How wrong can you get it?
Isn’t spotify a multi billion $ business?
Maybe invest some money on operations and training so you treat staff better than this

Non of us are privvy to what went on apart from Dan and Spotify, so not to judge – One thing I can say with 100% confidence is that Dan is top operator and should have the phone ringing off the hook right now. Won’t be too many people with both the tech knowledge and high EQ in this market…rare breed

A sign of the times, Buzzfeed, Domain, MCN, News, VICE and now Nine… and probably more to come

Anyone commenting saying Spotify are horrible people for this are being petty. It’s a publicly traded business that needs to be delivering results. It doesn’t matter who the role is being filled by whether it’s a father on paternity leave, an expectant mother or a single individual who never wants kids. If the business makes a legitmante decision that the roll is no longer required that’s it.
If they hire someone else in the same/similar role in 3 months they are liable to be sued for wrongful dismissal however an employees personal situation shouldn’t have a impact on a business decision.

It sounds harsh but that’s the reality…happy to be proven wrong if someone can deliver a better argument than ” oh it isn’t fair”

Businesses need to make money, people become expendable resources when the business performance is low.

Dan is one of the brightest and most decent blokes going. Will be snapped up by any progressive company looking to move their data strategies forward.

Are you serious ‘Seriously’

As a publicly listed company you can see Spotify’s share price is $140 USD per share and their market cap is around $20 billion

If you honestly think making someone redundant whilst on parental leave is ok please reassure me for my own peace of mind that you aren’t in management in our industry.

I recall a man from spotify (HR lead?) spoke at an event about their extensive parental leave policy and highlighted that it was for ‘all’ including fathers not only primary carers as many company’s provide and how awesome that is.

So if they are willing to use it as a recruiting and marketing tool publicly why shouldn’t they be held accountable.

Not acceptable

http://www.adnews.com.au/opini.....nity-leave

What a totally dislocated, ignorant and archaic management approach, this is an example of management being culture-less!!

I’m sorry on multiple levels to hear this news. Dan is a wonderful, smart and top of his game operator so I wish him the best of luck in finding his next role. Any business would be lucky to have him. I agree with above comments that the facts are unclear here so I cast no here judgement on Spotify , which globally has always been incredibly progressive on the paternity front. However what is clear is that in 2019 our generation is adamant that we have the right to raise our families and security within senior roles. I am concerned that the above story will fuel parents paranoia about taking the right level of time out for them. I urge companies to work with the parents within their communities to provide reassurance that their roles will be secure whilst they take time to look after their young families.

Seriously!! How culturally inconsiderate- not a good look Spotify – would not want to work for an organisation with such low EQ

Regardless of right or wrong and circumstances (which we’re not privy to), Dan’ll be fine. He’s built a solid personal brand by doing well, caring for people and endorsing topics he’s passionate about. Will be interesting to see who he rates and therefore joins next. Best Wishes Dan.

Culture begins at the very top. Has something changed at Spotify recently?

Although no one truly knows what happened, it’s certainly not a good look.

As with the continued sentiment, having been fortunate enough to work with Dan, I agree that he is an absolute asset to any business looking to hire smart young-ish (sorry Dan!) talent.

Good luck Dan…Spotify’s loss….

I hear on the grapevine the APAC
lead who thought this was ok has mysteriously left