murdoch the hack
Workers axed over phone-hacking scandal say severance deal is ‘unacceptable’ and they are being made to feel ‘toxic’
Former News of the World staff claim Rupert Murdoch’s ‘golden goodbye’ is just an attempt to encourage them to leave after the phone-hacking scandal.
An “enhanced” golden goodbye scheme has been drawn up by News International executives for axed News of the World employees in a move former staff claim is designed to bounce them out of the company quickly.
Staff on the tabloid, which was shut a month ago as NI attempted to contain the fallout from the phone-hacking scandal, received letters at the weekend outlining the severance deal.
However some, who have contacted the Guardian, said the package was “unacceptable” and increases the chances of a class action.
They claimed it was a sign they are not wanted despite promises by former chief executive Rebekah Brooks and owner Rupert Murdoch that everyone would be redeployed following the closure of the paper. “They said we weren’t toxic. But it’s now official. We’re tarnished,” said one former News of the World journalist.
NI sources said it stands by Murdoch’s comments and it is sincerely making efforts to redeploy everyone.
Management believe the package is generous. Significantly the deal does not require anyone to sign a confidentiality clause.
But former NoW staff said they suspect NI wants a clean break from the now-defunct Sunday tabloid at the heart of the phone-hacking scandal and would rather they all “clear off into the sunset”.
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