How tight is our industry?

[SirTypeAlot]

A very close friend of mine is considering taking legal action against his employer and has been told by his attorney there's a 98% chance he'll win and walk away with between $95,000-$140,000. (No need to get into details here)

I think he has just cause to "fry the bastards" as he puts it, but his lawyer also warns that our industry is a "good ole boy network" and taking such action could adversely affect his ability to get a job, or at least a good job, down the road. The lawyer says his reputation will be tainted regardless of set agreements about confidentiality even though he's been wronged and is well within his right to file legal action.

I am prepared to tell him to cut bait and move on. Getting revenge would be sweet and I'd love to see him get justice, but it's not worth the risk.

What do you guys think, and does anyone have any examples of similar situations they can provide?

 

[Ace]

It's a small world. Won't help in future journalism jobs. Even if the guy is in the right, folks may be hesitant to hire him thinking they'll get sued over some little thing.

And I have seen some very frivolous lawsuits by journalists against their papers.

But if he's really getting screwed may be worth it.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

Decades ago I worked with a woman who had sued a major metro for sexual harassment. She won and had no problem finding work, but A.) she was an extraordinary talent on the desk and B.) she was a woman during that time when women in sports departments were rare and everyone was trying to hire one and C.) I think everybody knew the place she sued had problems.

 

[MGoBlue]

My two cents:

If the suit is just, absolutely go for it. They want you to be scared.

Sure, there may be an instance or two where someone could get burned down the line (especially if this person remains local and tries to get in at another paper in the same market), but once you get out there in wide-open spaces, it's been my recent experience that 'the old-boys' network' isn't that strong anymore.

Too many distractions today for upper management to get bogged down in trying to find out if a projected employee has filed suit in the past.

 

[wisportswriter]

Pardon my French, but our business is so tight, if you stuck a lump of coal up its ass, in five weeks you would get a diamond. [/ferrisbueller]

 

[SoCalScribe]

Well, I know plenty of people who won't hire someone who's sued a prior employer under any circumstances. I also know people who've filed and won frivolous lawsuits that found another job. I think your friend should determine a few things, namely: how much it will cost him in legal fees should he lose; how much he needs the money or how much of an impact it will have on his quality of life; and if he's prepared to have this follow him around and be something he will have to explain away when applying for future employ.

 

[zagoshe]

How tight is our industry? Have you looked at your paycheck lately? That is assuming it didn't bounce.

And given the current financial state of our business and most newspapers, I'd tell your friend that if he wins his lawsuit, he should demand to paid in either cash, a cashiers check or a money order......

 

[Clever username]

Pardon my French, but our business is so tight, if you stuck a lump of coal up its ass, in five weeks you would get a diamond. [/ferrisbueller]

I thought it was three weeks.

 

[Babs]

My thought would be to very quietly spread the story of the wrongdoing as far and wide as possible before the suit, that way, if and when the company does try to blackball the gal/guy, everyone has already heard the "right" side of the story. Then, no problems getting another job.

 

[Lion_Woods]

A very close friend of mine is considering taking legal action against his employer and has been told by his attorney there's a 98% chance he'll win and walk away with between $95,000-$140,000. (No need to get into details here)

I think he has just cause to "fry the bastards" as he puts it, but his lawyer also warns that our industry is a "good ole boy network" and taking such action could adversely affect his ability to get a job, or at least a good job, down the road. The lawyer says his reputation will be tainted regardless of set agreements about confidentiality even though he's been wronged and is well within his right to file legal action.

I am prepared to tell him to cut bait and move on. Getting revenge would be sweet and I'd love to see him get justice, but it's not worth the risk.

What do you guys think, and does anyone have any examples of similar situations they can provide?

Is he suing because the paper won't pay him enough? I don't get it.

 

[Ace]

A very close friend of mine is considering taking legal action against his employer and has been told by his attorney there's a 98% chance he'll win and walk away with between $95,000-$140,000. (No need to get into details here)

I think he has just cause to "fry the bastards" as he puts it, but his lawyer also warns that our industry is a "good ole boy network" and taking such action could adversely affect his ability to get a job, or at least a good job, down the road. The lawyer says his reputation will be tainted regardless of set agreements about confidentiality even though he's been wronged and is well within his right to file legal action.

I am prepared to tell him to cut bait and move on. Getting revenge would be sweet and I'd love to see him get justice, but it's not worth the risk.

What do you guys think, and does anyone have any examples of similar situations they can provide?

Is he suing because the paper won't pay him enough? I don't get it.

If so, that would be a class action suit.

 

[SirTypeAlot]

Aapparently finances are part of it, but there are several other issues. He's got a good case and its rather extensive. But he's very concerned what this can do to his future. Like I said, I think he should just move on and find work elsewhere. Not sure he's completely listening, which is why I decided to post this thread.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

This sounds like one of the Klosterman quandaries presented in his new book. For example ...

You know a friend of yours is going to be attacked by a bear. Not really a friend, more of an acquaintance. Said acquaintance will be attacked, but the severity of injury is unknown. It could range from death to paralysis to a scalp wound to mere scratches that will give him a good story to tell for years. Bear attack certain, but injuries random.

Along with your knowledge that the attack will occur, you have the ability to stop the bear attack before it happens. By doing that, though, you will ensure that it will rain around you forever. Wherever you go, it's always raining. It isn't raining everywhere, just wherever you are. You will never see the sun again.

So -- what do you do? Do you allow the bear attack to happen or not?

 

[Cadet]

Let me get this straight: he has a rightful suit and could make 4-5 years salary in the process. Take the money and switch professions, pronto. Not even worth worrying if he can get hired again as a journo.

 

[dooley_womack1]

Cadet speaks the truth. Worst-case scenario, he has to flack out for more money. Best case, the employer is thought to be a scoundrel, and it's career cred. Win-win.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Let me get this straight: he has a rightful suit and could make 4-5 years salary in the process. Take the money and switch professions, pronto. Not even worth worrying if he can get hired again as a journo.

Sailing with Cadet and Dools here. Unless you're really married to the profession, go after them if your friend is truly in the right. Worst case, there's enough money there to go back to school and find work elsewhere.

 

[spnited]

Let me get this straight: he has a rightful suit and could make 4-5 years salary in the process. Take the money and switch professions, pronto. Not even worth worrying if he can get hired again as a journo.

If $95,000-$140,000 equals 4 to 5 years' salary, he needs a better job anyway.

 

[joe]

If $95,000-$140,000 equals 4 to 5 years' salary, he needs a better job anyway.

Ding ding ding. We have a winner.

 

[Cadet]

Let me get this straight: he has a rightful suit and could make 4-5 years salary in the process. Take the money and switch professions, pronto. Not even worth worrying if he can get hired again as a journo.

If $95,000-$140,000 equals 4 to 5 years' salary, he needs a better job anyway.

OK, very true, but you get my point... that is more than he makes in a year, almost guaranteed.