b5media: The Termination Email

As we reported yesterday, b5media terminated the contracts of over 50 bloggers as part of the closure of their entertainment blogs.

The reaction wasn’t positive, with bloggers who had been with the company since its earliest days receiving the same generic “you’re fired” email along with more recent recruits.

We now have a copy of the email sent to the fired bloggers. We’ll let you decide whether this is (as some have suggested) a disgusting way to treat the people who worked hard for you, often for not much pay for years. The name of the recipient has been removed for privacy reasons.

February 16, 2010

DELIVERED BY E-MAIL
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

Dear (omitted),

Re: Termination of Contract Effective February 16, 2010

We are writing to inform you of the termination of your contract with b5media Inc., effective February 16, 2010. Over the past six months, the Company has progressively made significant strategic changes to refocus and regenerate its business. This termination of your contract is needed to support the changes made to our corporate structure and business operations.

In accordance with the terms of your contract for (omitted), your contract with b5media will terminate effective immediately. Subsequent to the termination of your contract, you will receive all amounts owing to you up to and including March 1, 2010, which will meet or exceed our notice commitments in the contract. You should receive your payment by March 1, 2010.

If you have any questions regarding this change and both of our obligations under the contract, please review the contract, contact us at info@b5media.com, or phone our office at 647-260-1717. I would like to personally thank you very much for your contribution to b5media. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Yours truly,

Elaine Kunda
President & CEO