Condé Nast Faces Backlash Over Retaliatory Firings of Staff Who Confronted HR Chief on Layoffs
The NewsGuild of New York has accused Condé Nast of retaliatory firings after four employees were terminated for confronting HR chief Stan Duncan over recent layoffs at WIRED and Teen Vogue. The incident, which was caught on camera and shared widely on social media, has prompted a heated debate between the organization and the company over labor rights and workplace conduct.
Staff members from WIRED and Teen Vogue reportedly confronted Duncan last week at his office in the company’s World Trade Center headquarters, demanding accountability for the recent layoffs. Duncan reportedly dismissed the confrontation by instructing them to return to work immediately, according to NewsGuild President Susan DeCarava. The video of the incident, which has amassed over four million views on X, shows Duncan appearing to close the door in the employees’ faces, leading to the termination of four staff members involved.
Among those fired were Alma Avalle, a digital producer at Bon Appétit and a NewsGuild leader, as well as Wired senior White House reporter Jake Lahut, The New Yorker senior fact-checker Jasper Lo, and Condé Nast Entertainment videographer Ben Dewey. DeCarava labeled the firings as “grossly illegal tactics” aimed at union-busting and intimidation. She argued that the company violated contractual obligations by failing to take proper steps before terminating the employees, emphasizing the importance of preserving collective bargaining agreements amid political tensions.
Condé Nast has defended its actions, stating that the employees were fired for violating company policies and engaging in unprofessional behavior. The company issued a statement asserting that their misconduct was unacceptable in any workplace. However, the NewsGuild and its supporters have organized a rally at the company’s headquarters, calling for the reinstatement of the four fired employees, whom they refer to as the “Fired Four.” The Guild has also launched a fundraiser to support the affected workers during their job search.
Meanwhile, the layoffs that initially sparked the confrontation have raised concerns about the impact of corporate restructuring on marginalized employees. The NewsGuild highlighted that the affected staff in Teen Vogue, which is transitioning into the Vogue.com platform, were predominantly BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. The Guild has demanded transparency and accountability from Condé Nast, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment of all employees regardless of their background.
As the situation unfolds, both the NewsGuild and Condé Nast have filed unfair labor practice charges against each other, with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) becoming involved in the dispute. The case underscores the ongoing tensions between corporate management and union representation in the media industry, particularly as companies continue to face challenges related to cost-cutting, technological shifts, and the preservation of labor rights.