In a move that has further stirred controversy within Automattic, CEO Matt Mullenweg offered a new, albeit short-lived, severance package to employees just four days after a previous round of departures.

Through a Slack message, Mullenweg presented a nine-month severance package to any employee willing to resign immediately. The offer, however, came with a significant caveat: those who accepted would lose access not only to Automattic systems but also to WordPress.org, the company-controlled open-source project behind the popular content management system. This effectively bans them from contributing to the project under their existing accounts and participating in the wider WordPress community.

Mullenweg's decision reportedly came in response to employee concerns about missing the previous severance window. This earlier offer, a six-month package, targeted individuals who disagreed with his handling of the ongoing legal battle between Automattic and web hosting provider WP Engine. Notably, the first wave of departures included several high-profile figures, such as the heads of WordPress.com, programs and contributor experience, AI architecture, and even the executive director of WordPress.org.

The public feud with WP Engine began last month when Mullenweg accused the company of hindering WordPress's development and violating trademarks. The ensuing weeks have seen cease-and-desist letters, lawsuits, and WordPress.org blocking WP Engine's access to certain plugins and functionalities.

Automattic has yet to comment on the latest severance offer or whether any employees accepted it. The company's headcount on its website currently reflects a single employee departure since the message was sent.

Mullenweg's actions raise questions about the future of Automattic and WordPress.org. The exodus of key personnel and restrictions placed on departing employees could impact both platforms' development and long-term stability. Additionally, the move towards aggressive legal tactics raises concerns about the open-source nature of WordPress and the potential for fragmentation within the community.