Condé Nast Dismisses Four Staff Following HR Executive Incident
Condé Nast has terminated four editorial employees following an incident related to HR inquiries and layoffs. This action was taken amidst a controversial announcement regarding the consolidation of Teen Vogue into Vogue.com. The publisher’s decision is reportedly grounded in “conduct that violated company policies,” as stated after an internal review.
Details of the Terminations
The four employees dismissed include:
- Alma Avalle – Digital Producer at Bon Appétit
- Jake Lahut – Senior Reporter at Wired
- Jasper Lo – Senior Fact Checker at The New Yorker
- Ben Dewey – Videographer at Condé Nast Entertainment
In a statement, Condé Nast asserted their commitment to maintaining professional standards, emphasizing that “extreme misconduct is unacceptable in any professional setting.” They also noted their intention to engage constructively with the News Guild of New York, amidst ongoing tensions.
Union Response
The News Guild has characterized the terminations as a serious infringement of their contract terms, stating it violates the federally protected rights of union members to engage in collective action. The guild condemned the terminations as retaliatory, particularly highlighting the status of Avalle, who serves as Vice President of the News Guild.
Incident Overview
According to reports, the staffers approached Stan Duncan, the head of HR, expressing their concerns ahead of a scheduled meeting about job cuts. Their attempt for dialogue was met with dismissal, and they were told to return to their workstations. Lahut indicated the importance of standing up for colleagues and noted his role in the unit council made the meeting relevant to their collective interest.
Reactions from Affected Employees
Avalle expressed her dismay over her termination, highlighting the importance of representation for trans women in media. She emphasized her pride in her work and her role within the union, viewing the terminations as a broader attack on media workers. Lahut echoed similar sentiments on social media, promoting the need for solidarity among coworkers in a competitive industry.
As this situation unfolds, the implications for Condé Nast’s relationship with its employees and the union remain a key concern in the media landscape.
