[BC] Happy Holidays ?

[Alex Hartman]

I've had this happen at a few stations i've worked at. I always hold
the keys hostage until i receive my final paycheck and all personal
items are collected and accounted for.

Not a single station has ever argued with me over this, since they
know that they can be sued, just like you said. Now, if i ever gave
the impression that i'd be malicious, then i'd probably hand over the
keys, but i've never given reason for that.

There's been more than one occasion where this has happened, and they
take "service fees" off my paycheck (charging *me* to close accounts
and other crap). I've had to have a lawyer contact them and "remind"
them that they've been using *my* test equipment for 5 years, and
submit a bill for that use, paid in full, due immediately, if not paid
in 10 days, the lawyer is authorized to serve them in small-claims.

Works every time.

--
Alex Hartman

On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 9:31 AM, Gary Peterson <kzerocx at rap.midco.net> wrote:
> I just received a call from an old radio buddy.
> We have worked for the same stations a couple of
> times over the years.  He does good
> on-air/production and I do technical work for
> radio stations.  He is now in a different market.
> First, he asked if he could use me for a
> reference.  I said "You bet!"
>
> He told me that, late last week, he and several
> other full-time people were given their "walking
> papers."  He was asked to turn in his keys and to
> leave, immediately.  He asked about his personal
> effects and was told to leave immediately, or the
> police would be called.  He left without his
> expensive laptop and a couple of vintage radios,
> among other things.  I suggested that he contact a
> lawyer or consider, immediately, filing papers to
> take the station to small claims court and sue for
> the dollar value of the  items that he was forced
> to leave behind.
>
> Now, that I think about it...when he was told to
> leave immediately or the police would be called -
> he should have said "Don't bother."  "I am calling
> the police right now."  "I am going to file
> charges for theft of personal property."  Any
> opinions as to what should have been, or should
> be, his behavior will be most appreciated.
>
> I've been in the radio business since 1965 and
> just can't believe how much it has devolved.  The
> meanness, nowadays, is just incredible.  Radio
> used to be mostly run by nice people, who were
> real broadcasters.  It doesn't appear to be so
> common, anymore.  I am really thankful that I work
> for some of the nice, broadcaster-type people that
> are still in the business.
>
> Gary
>