Matt Mullenweg, the founder and CEO of Automattic, has been placed on a paid leave of absence by his board, according to a Slack message seen by TechCrunch. The move comes amidst a series of controversies, with Mullenweg accusing the board of conspiring against him. In a message to employees, he stated that the board's decision was a surprise and that he had not had time to seek legal advice.

Mullenweg's status change is not expected to impact the WordPress.org community, which remains under his leadership. However, the move could introduce instability, as some employees expressed mixed feelings about the decision. The timing of the move has raised questions, with one theory suggesting it coincides with Mullenweg's return from the Burning Man festival.

Over the past few years, Mullenweg and Automattic have faced legal battles, including a protracted lawsuit with WP Engine. This year's layoffs have also added to the company's troubles. The decision to put Mullenweg on leave is the latest chapter in a tumultuous period for the company and its founder.

The board's statement confirmed that Mullenweg remains on the board and that Mark Davies, the CFO, will lead the company as interim CEO. While the reasons for the leave are unclear, the move is likely to have significant implications for the future of Automattic and its flagship product, WordPress.