Charter CEO Tom Rutledge, who has a salary package worth $100 million,  last week ordered employees in a memo to keep coming to the office even if their jobs can be performed from home, because people "are more effective from the office". Employees should only stay home if they "are sick, or caring for someone who is sick," Rutledge wrote.

Nick Wheeler a video operations engineer for Charter in Denver, sent an email expressing his displeasure with the policy to a senior vice president and "hundreds of engineers on Friday".

The email said: "I do not understand why we are still coming into the office as the COVID-19 pandemic surges around us. The CDC guidelines are clear. The CDPHE [Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment] guidelines are clear. The WHO guidelines are clear. The science of social distancing is real. We have the complete ability to do our jobs entirely from home. Coming into the office now is pointlessly reckless. It's also socially irresponsible. Charter, like the rest of us, should do what is necessary to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Social distancing has a real slowing effect on the virus -- that means lives can be saved. A hazard condition isn't acceptable for the infrastructure beyond the short-term. Why is it acceptable for our health?" Within hours of sending the email, Wheeler was out of a job.

Wheeler said he was given an ultimatum that he could work from the office or take sick leave. Staff are not allowed to work from home, he was told. Wheeler offered his resignation, but was sent home instead and asked to think about his decision until Monday. Later in the day, he received a call from work. Charter accepted his resignation, effective immediately.