Condé Nast Fires Journalists After HR Confrontation

On Wednesday, Condé Nast terminated four journalists due to policy violations following a confrontation with the head of human resources.

The dismissed employees include Jake LaFoot, formerly with WIRED, Alma Avalle from Bon Appétit, Jasper Law from The New Yorker, and Ben Dewey, associated with Condé Nast Entertainment and the News Guild of New York, which represents Condé Nast workers. This incident arose after the company’s announcement of a merger between Teen Vogue and Vogue, which led to several layoffs, including editors-in-chief.

In response, over a dozen employees protested outside HR director Stan Duncan’s office, seeking to discuss the firings. According to reports, Duncan told them that he couldn’t allow such crowds and requested they return to their duties.

During this tense interaction, one of the dismissed employees challenged Duncan on how he intended to handle issues involving President Donald Trump. Duncan expressed a vague hope for moving forward, to which the employee insisted on answers.

Jake LaFoot confirmed his termination on social media, stating, “I was one of four people who got canned.” He also promoted his newsletter, emphasizing his continued commitment to his work despite the firing.

In a statement, the New York News Guild accused Condé Nast of attempting to intimidate those who supported the laid-off Teen Vogue staff. They claimed the firings violated not just their contract but also the federally protected rights of union members to engage in collective actions.

In response, Condé Nast lodged a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, asserting that the News Guild showed “complete disregard” for their collective bargaining agreement. The company highlighted its commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace and stated that aggressive or threatening behavior would not be tolerated.

The union had previously condemned the job cuts at Teen Vogue following the merger announcement.