Virgin Orbit is bringing some employees back from unpaid leave
Some laid-off Virgin Orbit employees will get back to work
Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit is set to recall a small group of employees from a company-wide furlough to concentrate on rocket modifications. While the number of workers returning to the company remains unclear, Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart has stated that it will only affect a ‘small fraction’ of the workforce.
Since 16 March, Virgin Orbit has had 750 employees on leave, primarily due to financial difficulties and a high-profile rocket incident in January 2023 during its first British launch attempt. The company confirmed that only essential employees required for the business’s operation would be recalled, allowing it more time to finalise an investment plan and prevent bankruptcy.
The returning employees were informed directly by their managers, while Hart noted that those not chosen would have their furlough extended. Meanwhile, talks regarding Virgin Orbit’s investment strategy to avert bankruptcy are still ongoing.
Hart acknowledged that ‘many teams have been working around the clock as we continue to communicate with investors and other stakeholders.’ The company plans to restart operations incrementally to support its upcoming launch, beginning with bringing back a portion of its workforce to focus on mission-critical areas.
