[Foundation-l] Foundation Discretion Regarding Personnel Matters

[GerardM]

Hoi,
I think that is a bit naive. A confidentiality agreement when someone leaves
may assure that both parties indicate to the rest of the world that the
parture of ways was amicable. The alternative can be quite costly and
unproductive. If anything, the only thing I wish the WMF would have done
differently is make a public statement at the time that "Carolyn has left
her position, and that we thank her for the services rendered". This would
be an adequate and honest statement as long as it is true. It is true as
long as no criminal offences have happened. When there were, and to the best
opinion of the WMF this is the best way of ending the relation, it should
still be true as far as the rest of the world is concerned. And, I am happy
to say, we, the community of volunteers of the WMF projects, qualify as
such.
Thanks,
     GerardM

On Dec 14, 2007 6:17 PM, Thomas Dalton <thomas.dalton at gmail.com> wrote:

> On 14/12/2007, Anthony <wikimail at inbox.org> wrote:
> > On Dec 14, 2007 11:50 AM, Thomas Dalton <thomas.dalton at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but to my knowledge there is no law
> > > against stating that there a legal reasons for not disclosing
> > > something. The board could have said "There are certain issues
> > > regarding Carolyn Doran and her departure which we cannot discuss for
> > > legal reasons." That way the board remains transparent while still
> > > obeying the law.
> > >
> > Ant has already stated that a confidentiality agreement was signed at
> > the time of Carolyn's departure.
>
> Could you point me towards that statement?
>
> There is, however, no law forcing the foundation to sign
> confidentiality agreements (to my knowledge - it would be a pretty
> pointless law if it existed, since it would be equivalent to a law
> requiring the confidentiality itself, which would be much easier). "We
> promised not to tell you" is not a good reason for not telling us,
> they should never have made such promises in the first place. If the
> agreement was made when Carolyn *left*, then I can't see any good
> reason for signing it - you sign confidentiality agreements when you
> form a relationship with someone (because if you didn't, they would
> refuse to work with you), not when you end it.
>
> _______________________________________________
> foundation-l mailing list
> foundation-l at lists.wikimedia.org
> Unsubscribe: http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
>