"Employee separation" at WYPR
By rejecting a $50,000 settlement, WYPR's Marc Steiner sheds some light on the process of employee firings, especially terminations of high-profile employees. Jill Rosen reports today that WYPR management offered money if Steiner would stay on the air until May and agree not to speak to the media about what happened. Since they wanted Steiner gone, they weren't really seeking four more months of his services. They wanted him to keep quiet and give the appearance of an "orderly" transition.
Usually, employees take the bait. Over and over again when employees and organizations go their separate ways, news reporters seeking information hit stone walls in either direction. The employer won't comment because "it's a personnel matter." And the employee won't comment because he/she has gotten hush money and signed a contract agreeing not to comment. The amount of money is always a secret. Agreeing to such a deal would have gone against everything Steiner represents, and good for him for rejecting it. (Full disclosure: I have been on his show several times, and he says nice things about me on the air.)
Comments
Just what I want my membership dollars spent on - hush money to keep management from looking like a bunch of jerks. My days are busy and I have lots of listening options in my car - bye bye WYPR:"You Are Fired!"
Posted by: Beerman Cold Beer | February 4, 2008 12:48 PM
Transparancy. Time to throw out the general manager and the board of trustees. They obviously have no idea what their responsibility is to the public. Another failure of communication by people who should understand this process better than most.
Posted by: Transparancy | February 5, 2008 9:47 AM