TJ Simers gets $14.5M from LA Times

Also, if a journalist is getting any sort of buyout upon being forced out, that buyout will be contingent on agreeing not to sue. So he or she has to decide, "I could take the $20,000 [or whatever] now or hope to win $200,000 later." But most employment lawyers will tell you these suits are harder to win than you might think. And the lawyer will likely want fees in addition to the contingency unless it's a particularly juicy case.

 

Even if it is true that Simers' lawyers were able to pin this on Simers' age -- because of his age -- his firing wasn't about age. It was about salary.

He was productive and perfectly capable of doing his work, very well, no matter his age at the point he left; he proved that, to the Times' satisfaction, for as long as he was there. So I actually think he was fortunate to win this case on that basis.

Just as an aside, he won enough to make his salary for another 60-plus years. Yeah, this was about salary.

I'm glad he won, as others have said, for the principle of the thing, but it's a rather exorbitant award in his case, and really, kind of disappointing in that.

 

Really surprised some of the editors and other higher ups or middle managers haven't spilled the beans about how Gannett stiffed reporters with the review system. Figure enough of them have been binned by now.

 

Jesus, you really don’t understand why big sums are awarded, do you?

 

You've got something there. Surely some former Gannett suits are disgruntled and would acknowledge being reprimanded for giving out good grades. One allegedly had to give poor grades to keep raises down. Put them out of business.

 

Dan you have something here. Go for it. Put Gannett out of business.

 

I believe I do, although you can enlighten me if you'd like. But it's still off-putting.

 

I find it amazing that a journalist could win any jury award. But if it’s going to happen, the winner will be a celebrity, big-market columnist. I’m guessing that a night cops reporter wouldn’t get much in the way of just compensation no matter how strong the case.

 

Hmmm. My neighbor's a highly successful class action lawyer, especially in white-collar industries. If y'all think a CA against a newspaper chain is worth exploring, hit me up.

 

*Takes out popcorn*

 

I agree but how do they fight back other than suing?