FYI.

Cheers,
        Madiba.
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New York Times Co. fires workers over e-mail

NEW YORK (AP) _ More than 20 employees of The New York Times  Company
have been fired for sending e-mail the company deemed  "inappropriate
and offensive."  Russell Lewis, president and chief executive, and
Cynthia  Augustine, senior vice president for human resources, sent a
memo  to all employees telling them of the firings.

"While the Company does not routinely monitor the e-mail
communications of employees, we do investigate when a violation of  the
company's e-mail policy is reported," the memo said. "Such a  case
occurred recently ... and as a result, more than 20  individuals have
been terminated for violation of our e-mail  policy."

All 23 of those fired worked at the Shared Services Center in  Norfolk,
Va., which company spokeswoman Nancy Nielsen said was a  hub for
processing payroll, invoices and benefits.

The fired employees "all transmitted clearly inappropriate and
offensive material, which left no doubt as to the discipline
required," the memo said.

Other employees received disciplinary warning letters.

"In the past, one or two people here or there have been fired  for
e-mail violations, but this is the first time we've had a big  number
like this," Ms. Nielsen said. "I bet it will be the  last."

She declined to release details. The memo referred to company  e-mail
policy, which said computers cannot be used to "create,  forward or
display any offensive or disruptive messages, including  photographs,
graphics and audio materials."

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