Newsbots
An Iowa TV station has found a way to get around a non-compete clause keeping a newly-hired anchor off the air until June. Erin Kiernan is anchoring the news on WHO-TV as an animated "newsbot" on the station's website, reports the Des Moines Register. Her former station can't do anything about it, because the clause never covered the Internet.Since WYOU anchor Phil Yacuboski is trying to get out of his contract, I think he may have a new option at his disposal. That's unless Nexstar Broadcasting quickly changes his contract.
posted by Howard Beale at 1:13 PM
6 Comments:
Having been in the management area I understand why a station looks to protect itself from someone jumping ship. What is WYOU went to the expense of bringing in someone from another market, pay the moving expenses only to have them go to WNEP, its not right, the station is only protecting the investment they have made in the person. Other businesses have similar clauses designed to protect themselves. If someone is really that unhappy then leave the station and wait out the time, the clauses don't last forever.
If I have my info correct, Phil's contract already expired some time ago, and he has been working under the terms of the contract. Wouldn't that give him the option of going to another station in the market?
If the first post was actually in a management position, I think we ALL have something to fear!! Gramatically, the person simply does not make sense. I would hate to have that person do my evaluation!
I can understand the reasons for having a contract, and to some extent, a no-compete clause. But there are some people who use contracts to an unfair advantage.
Charlotte Deleste and Stacy Weaver left this area when Nexstar told them, "Sign the contract now or never." It's unfair to the reporter/anchor, who should have some time to review the contract before signing.
If the anchors are going to sign contracts, they should at least insert something about a clothing expense account. That way, when you are let go, you can go after them for the clothing money, as well as back salary.
Above all, if you don't like the terms, any talent, with talent, should be willing to walk away. I doubt the base pay was soooo high that the terms were just too good to pass up.
Anyone else think the Newsbot is kind of creepy?
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