Halo Theme Song Composer is Suing Bungie Boss

[Strazdas]

Now I'm not claiming to be an expert on employer-employee law...but when it comes to stuff like "paid vacations" and such, isn't the general practice "use it or lose it"? Regardless of the politics behind why Marty was shit-canned, the fact that he was removed from the company before he collected on his paid vacation days and such doesn't mean that he's still owed those things. Such things were a benefit of working for the company...which is no longer the case in his situation.

I mean what is he suing for? Does he want Bungie to send him on an all expenses paid trip to the Bahamas? Can I sue every company that I've ever worked for that I never had a chance to use my unused vacation days?

dont know about the local situation of Bungie, but here there is no use it or loose it. it accumulates and you can use it later as far as vacation goes. sick days do not accumulate obviuosly. Not sure what they mean by paid time off, sabbatical time, isnt paid time off case specific, as in you get it when something happens (like a dead relative) and can only use it at that time? and what the hell is sabattical time?

 

[MrDumpkins]

Now I'm not claiming to be an expert on employer-employee law...but when it comes to stuff like "paid vacations" and such, isn't the general practice "use it or lose it"? Regardless of the politics behind why Marty was shit-canned, the fact that he was removed from the company before he collected on his paid vacation days and such doesn't mean that he's still owed those things. Such things were a benefit of working for the company...which is no longer the case in his situation.

I mean what is he suing for? Does he want Bungie to send him on an all expenses paid trip to the Bahamas? Can I sue every company that I've ever worked for that I never had a chance to use my unused vacation days?

dont know about the local situation of Bungie, but here there is no use it or loose it. it accumulates and you can use it later as far as vacation goes. sick days do not accumulate obviuosly. Not sure what they mean by paid time off, sabbatical time, isnt paid time off case specific, as in you get it when something happens (like a dead relative) and can only use it at that time? and what the hell is sabattical time?

My guess is somewhere in the contract they have rules for "crunch time" attendance and that it could suspend all of your vacation time etc until a game is at a certain point. Perhaps this happened in Destiny, there were problems with him and or management and they fired him before the project was done, and don't want to honor his contract?

I really like O'Donnel, so I'ma give him the benefit of the doubt, but as of right now we don't know anything.

 

[JET1971]

"benefits he claims he is owned for the song."

What part of that sentence doesn't work. Just a single letter mind you.

I can't imagine after having this guy on board for 14 years, and him helping make all their games as iconic as they are. That they would then fire him "without cause".

But if that is the case that was a very poor choice on Bungie's part.

Quite typical for a corporation to fire someone without cause even if they were a valuable asset to the company, and the more valuable but lower the position the more it happens because those above them can fear losing a chance to advance because the fired employee could take that spot they want because they are good at what they do. Nevermind that the fired employee may not desire to take the next management position that opens and may have spent time in management for a former employer and despises management jobs. Politics as usual in the workplace.

 

[Vigormortis]

Say what you will about Halo, it has one kick-ass theme tune. Every time that main beat comes in over the sound of the choir, I get chills. It's a very iconic part of the series...

I absolutely agree. But why in the hell did you use the Mjolnir Mix version of the song? It's hands down the worst version.

It's essentially just the original song; as heard in Halo: CE; with superfluous, screechy guitars played way too loudly over top. There is almost nothing else changed from the original version. All of the original melodies, basses, and choral pieces are there, just all but drowned out by those awful-sounding guitars.

I generally adore O'Donnell's work. However, that edit of the theme was one of his low points.

 

[Vigormortis]

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From the VentureBeat article:
O?Donnell said in the filing that Bungie and Ryan gave no explanation for the firing. The suit notes that Bungie has a policy to pay employees accrued but unused vacation, paid time off, sabbatical time, and other benefits. Ryan and Bungie reportedly promised to pay.

Separately, O?Donnell has other grievances against Bungie and Ryan, and those matters are being pursued in arbitration. But that dispute isn?t described in the lawsuit. O?Donnell is asking for double damages in the lawsuit.

So it seems[footnote]If the claim is to be believed.[/footnote], regardless of the specific definitions of "sabbatical time", etc, that Bungie has a policy of honoring these accrued payments after letting someone go.

If that be the case, then O'Donnell is certainly owed - no matter the reason for his termination. And as such, I hope he wins his suit.

If that's not the case, then this is a very sleazy move on O'Donnell's part.

 

[bojac6]

Now I'm not claiming to be an expert on employer-employee law...but when it comes to stuff like "paid vacations" and such, isn't the general practice "use it or lose it"? Regardless of the politics behind why Marty was shit-canned, the fact that he was removed from the company before he collected on his paid vacation days and such doesn't mean that he's still owed those things. Such things were a benefit of working for the company...which is no longer the case in his situation.

I mean what is he suing for? Does he want Bungie to send him on an all expenses paid trip to the Bahamas? Can I sue every company that I've ever worked for that I never had a chance to use my unused vacation days?

It all depends on your contract and company policies. Some companies view vacation time as a benefit for working there, but most companies I've worked at view vacation time as earned. What that means is that for so many hours worked, you earn an additional number of hours paid, to be used when you aren't in office. Both of the jobs I've had that allowed accrued vacation paid me out when I left. The one had no limit on accrued vacation, meaning I was owed 7 weeks of vacation time. This particular organization couldn't afford to pay me out on the day I wanted to leave, so I made a deal where I stopped working in August, but remained an employee till October, using up my vacation and still getting my regular paycheck. The other had a limit to how much vacation you could save up, so when I left, my last paycheck included pay for an additional three weeks.

In both cases, my contract specified that I was owed vacation time. It is entirely possible you could have sued a former employer for not paying you out in the past.

 

[RicoADF]

Now I'm not claiming to be an expert on employer-employee law...but when it comes to stuff like "paid vacations" and such, isn't the general practice "use it or lose it"? Regardless of the politics behind why Marty was shit-canned, the fact that he was removed from the company before he collected on his paid vacation days and such doesn't mean that he's still owed those things. Such things were a benefit of working for the company...which is no longer the case in his situation.

I mean what is he suing for? Does he want Bungie to send him on an all expenses paid trip to the Bahamas? Can I sue every company that I've ever worked for that I never had a chance to use my unused vacation days?

It could have been back pay for vacation time taken but not paid while working, or the contract could stipulate it's earned and owed or in the case where I live the law requires any unusued vacation time be paid out if terminated. Hard to tell in this case but some above me claim Bungie has it in their employment contract in which case they must pay up.

 

[Strazdas]

So it seems[footnote]If the claim is to be believed.[/footnote], regardless of the specific definitions of "sabbatical time", etc, that Bungie has a policy of honoring these accrued payments after letting someone go.

once again, laws could be different there than here, but here its actually enshrined in law that they must pay the vacation time when you leave as financial compensation for vacation not taken. the law requires only 85% of work pay during vacation time in such case, but its not up to company policy here. that being said, even if there is no such law where Bungie is, their policy if indeed what is claimed here is true, already makes them need to pay for it. So i too hope he will win if what he claims is true.

 

[Vigormortis]

once again, laws could be different there than here, but here its actually enshrined in law that they must pay the vacation time when you leave as financial compensation for vacation not taken. the law requires only 85% of work pay during vacation time in such case, but its not up to company policy here. that being said, even if there is no such law where Bungie is, their policy if indeed what is claimed here is true, already makes them need to pay for it. So i too hope he will win if what he claims is true.

Oh, I know the laws could be different. But even if there's no specific law requiring them to pay out, if he was signed on under a contract that included the claimed clauses he could still win his suit - if he can prove a breach of contract.

Either way, I'm still curious why he was terminated. My guess is some "falling out" with the new company head. Over what I couldn't venture a guess, beyond creative differences.