Monday, February 11, 2008

Let Sam be Sam, but you be nice


From: Arthur, John
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 5:21 PM
Subject: Sam and his language

Last week you may have encountered some colorful uses of the lexicon from Sam Zell that we are not used to hearing at the Times. As Sam pointed out in his "mea culpa" note to us today, he does this to make a point and in an attempt to change culture quickly. But of course we still have the same expectations at the Times of what is correct in the workplace. It's not good judgment to use profane or hostile language and we can't tolerate that. Looking at pornography on the job, unless in pursuit of a story, also is not good judgment. We need to maintain an open workplace where everyone feels free to contribute without fear of discrimination or threat of harassment. In short, nothing changes; the fundamental rules of decorum and decency apply. As Russ Newton, the Senior VP of Operations, observed in a note to his managers, Sam is a force of a nature; the rest of us are bound by the normal conventions of society.

John Arthur
Susan Denley
John Montorio

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hopefully one thing will change,that is to get rid of our pressroom manager at oly. He has no people skills.

Nubia said...

I think this is EXACTLY what Sam means and WANT! HELLO!!!!!!

He's giving the men and women of the LAT's a VOICE! What makes you think that you can rule over and beyond what the owner says????

Sam has the right idea. That's why he's f!@#ing RICH and you're NOT! The GOOD thing is that (for some reason) he can identify with the laborers.

Okay, now...bring it on, You miserable people!!!!!

Kanani said...

Good lord.
I feel like I've just read a reprimand for a high school.

Anonymous said...

I thought we Mr.Zell was talking about a bully manager, he was talking about our pressroom managr at oly.

Anonymous said...

Sam can't save a single one of us from the economic challenges we face. He can only embolden those that can, which happens to be us.

Unless WE generate revenue and WE control expenses, you might as well hang up your inching iron. Focusing on anything other than that (like pool tables, grudges against others or how you feel wronged) might be entertaining, but it ain't the business at hand.