Gannett-anigans

[Johnny Dangerously]

I'll be issuing a press release shortly about my application.

 

[TheHacker]

YankeeFan frames this the right way, I think. The guy hasn't started working there yet, but the paper saw something he did that gave them reason to reconsider their offer. Their reaction may have been over the top, but I don't disagree with the way they handled it. As a manager, I'm pretty conservative, and I know I would feel uncomfortable having someone come on board who felt a need to write a press release about himself. It just rubs me the wrong way, and as someone else pointed out, what other questionable things might this guy do? I'd feel like I had to keep a close eye on him. It was just a poor choice on his part -- not because of the logo, but just for the way it has the potential to hit so many people the wrong way.

 

[Double Down]

He should have written about how ashamed he was to be joining Gannett, I guess. And demonstrated how beaten down he already was, and thus incapable of doing anything other than executing the orders of some super smart people.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

He should have just updated his Facebook status to say that he accepted a job there and because it's Gannett that he would be there for the next 6-9 months minus furloughs.

 

[farmerjerome]

Remember back in the day when we made stupid mistakes that couldn't be linked to the intrawebs so we didn't get fired?

I did that. About 18 months into my current gig. Me and my big mouth offended someone. But it was looked on as a mistake and I learned something from it and I've never repeated it again.

I would've been fired but I 'fessed up to it right away and it blew over. No intrawebs, just office gossip. I doubt anyone even remembers it now.

Who knew.

 

[outofplace]

How old is this "kid"?

Also, can you say he was "fired" if he never started? I'd say they withdrew their job offer.

It was an over reaction by Gannett, but it was a really dumb move by the guy with the oddly spelled first name.

The job was his. Done deal. Then they took it away. Technically, your wording is more accurate, but the connotation of fired really seems to fit here.

 

[As The Crow Flies]

What a weird thread. I can't believe anyone with half a heart would side with Gannett here. We have a young person with multiple degrees happy and proud to work at a newspaper. Let's have a little perspective. This a prime example of some corporate dipshirt taking themselves way too seriously.

I completely agree. This might have been a little arrogant and immature, but the dude got FIRED. That's killing an ant with a sledgehammer if that's all there is to it.

I'm not siding with Gannett; I'm just saying I get why they made the choice. For all we know, one of the people in charge saw the blog post and told someone they don't want a person that cocky coming into their newsroom.
He got screwed, but he made a choice and has to live with it. It's part of being an adult.

It's like being convicted of smoking weed and then getting 30 years in prison. Then afterward saying, 'Well, he got screwed, but he shouldn't have been smoking weed.' Just because an offense was committed doesn't mean the punishment can't be way out of whack.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

If I'm the manager, I call him into the office the first day, then say, "You know that post you put on your blog? Well, don't ever forking do it again, or you're fired. Welcome to Delaware."

 

[YankeeFan]

Normally, if an offer letter is rescinded, no one else even knows about it. It doesn't create a gap in your resume, and you didn't move to a new city.

Of course, everyone knows in this case, because he announced it and it ended up on Romenesko.

On the plus side for him, he hasn't moved to a city where he knows no one, has no interest in living in, absent a job, and has a year long lease.

 

[Raiders]

I can't remember the last time I heard someone say:
"I'd really like to work at the News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware."

 

[Mizzougrad96]

It's actually a pretty decent paper, or at least it was the last time I saw it.

It's not the Boston Globe, but you could do a lot worse.

I agree with the sentiment that you pull the kid aside and say, "Hey, that's not how we do things here." and let it go at that.

I don't like what he did, but it's not worth withdrawing a job offer.

In the long run, he'll be better off, especially if he gets a job at a non-Gannett paper.

I think a year from now he'll be saying "That was the best thing that ever happened to me."

 

[BillyT]

I can't remember the last time I heard someone say:
"I'd really like to work at the News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware."

Agree with Mizzou.

Heck, it's 80,000 and a primary state paper.

Not to hit the race issue again, but high minority readership too.

Honestly, these days, any job is a victory.