I’ve been an employee of Optum for quite some time. I was recently contacted by a journalist who would like to ask me some questions about how the organization works and my personal experiences. Think I should talk to him?
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Your servence is gone btw if you speak to the media or social media about layoffs.
@ar if you get laid off, I hope you spill the tea! Who cares about a measly severance?!
100% against policy. Fired in the spot if they find you out
Don’t kid yourself-
That journalist already has an inkling that something shady is going on with this company and to lean on the journalist to protect your anonymity is very risky-
We now live in a society and country whereas the mantra, “trust no one”, is the order of the day and needs to be taken seriously-
Not if you like your salary. Unless they can guarantee anonymity.
What kind of journalist does that? It's a trap. A rat Trap!
Thanks and good advice. Not doing it. In fact not even responding.
Yes, if anonymity can be verified and the source is credible (for example, by validating the email address). Even then, this is best done by former employees rather than those still on payroll. There is a definite risk involved. You may be better off providing feedback to a news tip line in an online form where you don't need to give personal information or can mask your info. Most news sites have tip forms or email addresses.
Go to CNN and have them televise to whole country. LOL
Very no. They are absolutely looking for non-public information. We are supposed to direct all media inquiries to media relations. Unless you are going to claim whistleblower protection the consequences can be severe for you. Also remember they may be doing social engineering, who knows who they really are? They could be a competitor or bad actor trying to get insider information or access. Let's say you give them something you shouldn't, now they have leverage to blackmail you. They can parlay that into more information or access.
I strongly suggest you don't do this. There is literally zero benefit and lots of risk.
Absolutely not, journalists are sc-m and will lie to you, twist your words and throw you under the bus just to get a story. Gross.
Just a head's up if you do it and they find out you can lose your severance (if RIF'd now) or be fired without severance.
@OP Definitely don't do it if you are RIF'd because it could jeopardize severance.
no
You can ask to speak off the record or ask to be an anonymous source
I would do it as long the TV station makes you anonymous.
Are you really this stupid??
You need approval from corporate communications to speak to the media and approval from your manager. Or you can be fired.
Perhaps connect the journalist to an ex employee, depending on the reason for their research? We all know one.
I personally wouldn’t want to get involved being as current employee.
@OP no. That's grounds for termination. (It's in the agreement you signed when you got hired. )