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Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

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Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#211
post #168

The CEO has responded to the criticism of how it was handled: https://www.reddit.com/r/RedditCensorship/comments/2ifd3p/ud... "Hiya. It was a harsh response, I agree (there's actually more, but we're pulling our punches, if you can believe it), and in fact all day yesterday I didn't want to post a reply, hoping his AMA wouldn't get too much traction or he wouldn't spout too many misconceptions and we could all just c…

> In running reddit, there's an interesting balance between the normal standards of professionalism (which we try very hard to uphold even when someone is being unreasonable) and the fact that we're a huge internet forum where a higher degree of openness is expected.

Odd. I see no evidence in his comments that he's even slightly familiar with the "normal standards of professionalism" in a situation like this. I'm not being snotty: it would be interesting to know what he thinks he is balancing "openness" against.

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#212
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's one interpretation - alternative: He said the truth, Reddit tries to get out of a bad spot and throws dirt against an ex-employee.

Except if the CEO knowingly made a false and damaging statement about an employee in public, he could be sued for libel. It's unlikely that a CEO would be stupid enough to do that.

[deleted]

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#213
post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was paraphrasing: "Officially: no reason. And I get this; I vaguely know how CA employment law works and that you limit your liability by not stating a reason. It's also really hard to work through in your mind. The best theory I have is that, two weeks earlier, I raised concerns about donating 10% of ad revenue to charity. Some management likes getting feedback, some doesn't. ..." When you make a statement like "S…

That combined with Yishan's reply makes it LOOK more retaliatory.

You are welcome to your opinion. ;)

But anyone who responds to being called out publicly, isn't retaliating imo.

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#214
post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That combined with Yishan's reply makes it LOOK more retaliatory.

You are welcome to your opinion. ;) But anyone who responds to being called out publicly, isn't retaliating imo.

It's not being called out, it's the tone. The tone sounds almost like a playground spat. Which hints at it being personality conflict, rather than a performance thing.

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#215

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Paraphrasing? I think you meant to say, "Sorry, I was just making that up."

> "The best theory I have is that, two weeks earlier, I raised concerns about donating 10% of ad revenue to charity. Some management likes getting feedback, some doesn't." How else could you possibly interpret this rationally in a conversation about being laid off?

A bunch of ways. The point is you didn't present it as an interpretation; you presented it as something he physically, actually said.

Which, as you knew, it wasn't.

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#216
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would it? Seems like a perfectly reasonable and professional response by yishan, shows investors that he isn't going to take crap from ex-employees trying to bad mouth the company.

A reasonable and professional response by Yishan would've been to stay out of it and either ignore it or release an official statement, not comment on a reddit thread started by a disgruntled former employee...

That was an official statement, as indicated by the little [A] after Yishan's username. (If you hover, it says: "reddit admin; speaking officially".)

And placing it as a reply in the relevant thread is exactly what you'd do if you believe Reddit threads are a serious, important, and often-canonical source of information. That genuine belief is essentially a requirement to lead Reddit.

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#217

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Paraphrasing? I think you meant to say, "Sorry, I was just making that up."

> "The best theory I have is that, two weeks earlier, I raised concerns about donating 10% of ad revenue to charity. Some management likes getting feedback, some doesn't." How else could you possibly interpret this rationally in a conversation about being laid off?

>How else could you possibly interpret this rationally in a conversation about being laid off?

The way his comment actually reads is: "I really can't work out why I was let go. The only thing I have done out of the ordinary in the last few weeks was ..."

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#218

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are taking the CEOs words as fact when the reality of the situation is, we don't know what the truth is right now. Judging from the fact that the CEO responded in such a childish manner I really have no reason to believe anyone in this situation. What if the CEO just posted what he thought was the reason why this employee was fired. What if there is no documentation backing up the CEOs statements.

First of all, I wouldn't call CEO's response childish, I'd call it exactly right . Honest, clear and straight talking is what we need to have more, and not some corporate contentless PR fluffs. Secondly, CEO just exposed himself to a potential lawsuit and a total loss of respect from his subordinates if he lied even a little bit in that statement. That is kind of a whole lot of evidence favouring trusting him over th…

How do you know its clear and straight talking? It could be complete bs, and same for employee. When your angry/hateful towards someone, all logic falls out the window.

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#219

Ok, I don't get it. So everyone here says that CEO's statement was childish, and yet next time when another company issues a professional statement, people will be calling it content-less cover-your-ass PR fluff, and crying for more honesty and straight talk. Make up your mind. As for me, personally, I think CEO's response was exactly what it should be. Honest, clear, straight to the point. Reddit just earned my resp…

I think the general issue is that people don't believe it's acceptable for a company to talk about HR issues like this publicly unless both parties have explicitly agreed to it. When people complain about a company issuing a content-less CYA fluff statement, it will probably not be about an HR issue like this.

Re: Reddit CEO Calls Out Former Reddit Employee on Reddit

#220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the spirit of non-disparagement, it seems like Yishan could have sent a private message to the employee which reiterated why he had been fired, and asked him to stop posting about it. If Yishan felt that it was necessary to comment, he could have still posted something without Reddit losing face – something like, "We're sorry that you feel our decision to let you go was unclear. I've sent you a private message, an…

Someone shits on your company in public and you lead with "we're sorry?" I'd quit working for you on that alone.

Or risk having a personality conflict with your boss, then him completely running your career.
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