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They really needed this PR nightmare after just canning 100 employees. What a dumb AF thing to do.
Hiring Woj is a great business move regardless of the circumstances. He's the best in the business.
Firing someone on maternity leave is always a bad PR move, regardless of the circumstances.
Don't think intertwining the two is necessary.
And while it'll sound cold, you have to make business decisions sometimes. If maternity leave keeps you your job, where's the cut-off? Can you fire someone with a six month old? A one year old? Two? Layoffs are always terrible. Everyone has families and children and tough circumstances. That's why I hate it for all of them.
Firing someone on maternity leave is always a bad PR move, regardless of the circumstances.
Don't think intertwining the two is necessary.
And while it'll sound cold, you have to make business decisions sometimes. If maternity leave keeps you your job, where's the cut-off? Can you fire someone with a six month old? A one year old? Two? Layoffs are always terrible. Everyone has families and children and tough circumstances. That's why I hate it for all of them.
What PR nightmare? This happens all the time during big layoffs. Having a kid is 't like a get out of jail free card. Is it any more crappy than everyone else who lost their jobs and still has to figure out a way to support their families?
Point is it sucks regardless of the personal situation, and it doesn't make sense to start arbitrarily applying layoff exceptions like "oh well she has kids so..."
Point is it sucks regardless of the personal situation, and it doesn't make sense to start arbitrarily applying layoff exceptions like "oh well she has kids so..."
Huge difference though. Stress can be very harmful during a pregnancy. At least if the baby is already born, they're not getting mother's stress hormone.
Ever hear of the Family and Medical Leave Act? It has set parameters.
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
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I'm also curious why John Skipper hasn't been held accountable for all this.
Valid point, didn't consider that.
So it sounds like they waited until she returned from maternity leave if I'm reading this correctly. I guess if you have to fire her, that's the best way to go about it. Let her put in her full paid leave and spend time with the baby.
No good way to do it, but that beats the alternative.
also she should could have done more to prove herself after seeing so many layed off but she couldn't be there. it may be fair, but it looks bad imo.
I actually haven't. I'm not married, don't have children and have never been anyone's boss. What are the parameters? Did ESPN break the law?
Yes. It is not unlimited though. If I am not mistaken it is 6 months and can run concurrent with any sick/vacation leave one may have. You are also able to apply it retroactively. My bet is the mother in question had no paid leave left and exceeded her FMLA time and lost her job.
I can't get beyond the firewall to read the article, but if she was covered under FMLA, then yes, ESPN has a huge problem. I find it hard to believe anyone there would be stupid enough to breach FMLA.
My way early opinion is that ESPN sucks ass and this is a bad look, but it may be completely legal.
I thought FMLA only covered up to 4 months? Anything beyond that and your employee can terminate you with no repercussions. Never heard of the 6 month timeline before.
My way early opinion is that ESPN sucks ass and this is a bad look, but it may be completely legal.
I thought FMLA only covered up to 4 months? Anything beyond that and your employee can terminate you with no repercussions. Never heard of the 6 month timeline before.
Actually its 12 weeks. I couldn't remember the length but am somewhat familiar with how it works.
These people haven't been fired. They have been laid off. That's a huge difference. "Laid off" just means the company has eliminated the position. The only real way to get in trouble is to lay someone off and then hire someone afterwards to fill that same job.
Of course, the PR hit is a whole different story.
Of course, the PR hit is a whole different story.
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
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I doubt seriously that they broke the law but the Act provides for a protected 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a new baby. I don't know anything about her situation.
Pretty sure the typical FMLA leave is 12 weeks, but can be a maximum of 16 weeks. That has been my experience. I've known ppl who were covered for 4 months but not a day beyond that.
That all sounds terrible. But you know what else is terrible? One and dones and NBA draft picks.
I see no problem firing a woman while on maternity leave. The PROBLEM would be if they fired her BECAUSE she was on maternity leave.
What's worse. "Social engineering" on a supposed sports channel or social engineering on a supposed news channel?
Unless they have a union contract which guarantees re-call rights then I believe you can be laid off without re-call rights and the company can fill the job in the future anyway they want. The difference in being laid off vs. being fired is 1) being laid off doesn't give you that black mark against you when looking for a new job. On the other hand being fired would take some explaining during an interview. 2) Laid off status allows you to draw unemployment. Depending on the circumstances, if you are fired your unemployment will be denied.
Oooooooooo
Tough one.
I'd have to go with social engineering in a sports channel.
But ESPN's war on pregnant women is just shocking.
No wait I got one! What's worse?
A politician keeping a folder on his desk full of qualified women for hire?
ESPN firing a stressed and vulnerable woman right after child birth?
@PhattyJ4UK @screwduke1 @warrior-cat @The Public Enemy
Depends on whether "qualified" meant that they had big breasts.
The way I understood her tweet, she returned to work and got laid off at that point, not while on leave. So unless a misread, it is what it is. Sucks for her, but being a new mom doesn't make you special.
Lester Munson is a legal expert on ESPN. He told them it was legal to fire her. He was also fired the next day.
Hahahahaha
I'm loving this. ESPN sets a bar for the world go follow and as soon as the money doesn't make sense they revert back to being typical.
Where have I seen this before....
The O'Reilly Factor?
Seriously, I'm fascinated by who ESPN has chosen to fire. What level of moron looks at Andy Katz and Jeff Goodman and says "I'm gonna roll with the marble-mouthed clown with the on-air personality of a teen-aged fast food employee.
So if you are pregnant or have a new child, the normal and equal workplace rules don't apply?
This gender differentiation is something that women have been railing against for several years. Or should we now go 270 degrees and treat female employees with increased benefits?
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Naw, I don't think Oreilly ever demanded the insanity that places like espn push. Plus those women were super hot. It kind of makes it ok.
I seriously hope they tank. From my pov, they are the worst.
FMLA protects an employees job during an approved, qualified leave for up to 12 weeks. I believe under some circumstances that period is extendable but not a requirement.
Not a chance in hell ESPN's attorneys would allow them to violate FMLA laws in this political environment. Way to easy to sue and win.
ESPN did not fire. Firing indicates she was unsatisfactorily performing her job and her position could be back-filled. She was laid off indicating her job was eliminated, and her position would not be filled. Big legal difference.
I, for one, don't buy that a woman should be protected after the FMLA leave is completed. Feminists rightly want all the advantages of equality and that's what they should get. Along with the perks comes the bad things... turn about is fair play.
Not a chance in hell ESPN's attorneys would allow them to violate FMLA laws in this political environment. Way to easy to sue and win.
ESPN did not fire. Firing indicates she was unsatisfactorily performing her job and her position could be back-filled. She was laid off indicating her job was eliminated, and her position would not be filled. Big legal difference.
I, for one, don't buy that a woman should be protected after the FMLA leave is completed. Feminists rightly want all the advantages of equality and that's what they should get. Along with the perks comes the bad things... turn about is fair play.
Damn, didn't know that about Walsh, knew they let Jade McCarthy go and she's pregnant also. They laid off all these people and still went out and hired Rex Foot Freak Ryan for their NFL Studio shows... go figure.
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