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>We value and protect the privacy of our employees, both past and present, and we will not comment on all the factors that contributed to our parting ways. All

>We value and protect the privacy of our employees, both past and present, and we will not comment on all the factors that contributed to our parting ways. All I get from that is that it played a role. In fact, their statement is tacit support of the argument that the controversy wasn't the only factor in their decision.

cobrausn 14y ago
I agree - there were multiple factors. But... PlayHaven had an employee who was identified as making inappropriate comments at PyCon, and as a company that is dedicated to gender equality and values honorable behavior, we conducted a thorough investigation. The result of this investigation led to the unfortunate outcome of having to let this employee go. Notice the result of this investigation part. Maybe this guy has had issues in the past, or maybe they just didn't like his code, but by all appearances, he would not be jobless if this investigation had not been started.
- vellum 14y ago
  Maybe he was more junior. If you look on Alex Reid's linkedin, it says he's a core engineer. I don't see anyone else in Playhaven with that title.
- TheCapn 14y ago
  Without knowing PlayHaven directly in this context its hard to say what those words mean. They come off as PR for covering their ass. I'd be surprised if any thorough investigation could be concluded so quickly. The fact that they state employee privacy is of importance yet clearly outline he was dismissed also sends flags up for me. To specifically say their decision goes beyond privacy when he is clearly identified through the picture and other channels is to say "we fired mr-hank" a point that is already covered within this thread of discussion. To say "we have investigated the complaints and taken appropriate action" is a safer bet legally. These are just speculation, but my interpretation is that the response was a hasty PR damage control rather than a rational response.
- prodigal_erik 14y ago
  A one-day "thorough investigation" is code for "met with our attorney". Every HR department in the US has to regard him as an untouchable; there was no investigation because it doesn't matter what he actually did.

cobrausn 14y ago

I agree - there were multiple factors. But... PlayHaven had an employee who was identified as making inappropriate comments at PyCon, and as a company that is dedicated to gender equality and values honorable behavior, we conducted a thorough investigation. The result of this investigation led to the unfortunate outcome of having to let this employee go. Notice the result of this investigation part. Maybe this guy has had issues in the past, or maybe they just didn't like his code, but by all appearances, he would not be jobless if this investigation had not been started.

vellum 14y ago
Maybe he was more junior. If you look on Alex Reid's linkedin, it says he's a core engineer. I don't see anyone else in Playhaven with that title.
TheCapn 14y ago
Without knowing PlayHaven directly in this context its hard to say what those words mean. They come off as PR for covering their ass. I'd be surprised if any thorough investigation could be concluded so quickly. The fact that they state employee privacy is of importance yet clearly outline he was dismissed also sends flags up for me. To specifically say their decision goes beyond privacy when he is clearly identified through the picture and other channels is to say "we fired mr-hank" a point that is already covered within this thread of discussion. To say "we have investigated the complaints and taken appropriate action" is a safer bet legally. These are just speculation, but my interpretation is that the response was a hasty PR damage control rather than a rational response.
prodigal_erik 14y ago
A one-day "thorough investigation" is code for "met with our attorney". Every HR department in the US has to regard him as an untouchable; there was no investigation because it doesn't matter what he actually did.