More bad karma for Fisker Automotive; layoffs and lawsuit

By: Dana Hull
Posted: April 7, 2013
siliconbeat.com

Fisker Automotive’s bad karma continues.

On Friday, the Anaheim-based company laid off 160 of its 210 employees.

“If you are an employer who is looking for bright, passionate and hardworking team members please take a hard look at the many Fisker Automotive team members on LinkedIn,” says Fisker’s LinkedIn page.

Now the company has been hit by a class-action lawsuit from law firm Raisner Roupinian LLP for not giving employees * 60-day notice under California’s WARN act.

“We contend Fisker ordered mass layoffs on or about April 5, 2013 without providing its employees with advance written notice. The Case is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California,” says Raisner Roupinian LLP’s website. The firm is seeking 60 days wages and benefits for former employees.

Many speculate that Fisker could file for bankruptcy as early as Monday. If so, get ready for more stories about the Department of Energy’s loan to the company.

In August, Fisker named Tony Posawatz, the former Chevy Volt chief, as the company’s new CEO, making him the third executive to helm the startup in a year. Lead Fisker board director Ray Lane of Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, the * company’s largest investor, recruited him to replace Tom LaSorda, who in turn replaced company founder Henrik Fisker. Fisker resigned from the company March 13.