When it comes to press releases, we’ve seen it all: companies boasting about minute increases in sales, unnecessary termination announcements, lawsuits, name-calling – you name it, we’ve heard it. But this one found on PRWeb.com tops anything I’ve seen before.
Apparently this staffing agency was so fired up about taking legal steps to prohibit a former employee from stealing their clients that they sent their story to the media. I understand this can be a serious problem for staffing agencies who lose employees to competitors, but to submit a press release about it seems a bit much, don’t you think?
So here it is, folks: the strangest press release EVER:
24 Seven Inc, the world’s largest talent recruitment agency for the fashion, retail, marketing, creative services and entertainment industries, today announced the company’s victory in obtaining a temporary restraining order against Alicia Fazio, a former employee of the staffing agency.
A Federal Court determined that Fazio is temporarily restrained and enjoined from directly or indirectly operating with her new employer, the Career Group, Inc., and its affiliate Fourth Floor Fashion Talent, Inc. She is temporarily restrained from using any of the confidential, proprietary and/or trade secrets she obtained while an employee at 24 Seven. In addition, as part of the ruling, Fazio is prohibited from contacting or soliciting any of 24 Seven clients, candidates and employees.
“The Judge’s ruling today highlights the fact that the Federal Court will enforce reasonable, restrictive covenants to prevent the improper disclosure of trade secrets and prevent the harm associated with unfair competition,” says Richard Reice, Partner at the Seyfarth Shaw law firm in Manhattan, 24 Seven’s counsel.
Fazio joined 24 Seven as a Director of Business Development in June 2005, when she entered into an employment agreement which contained restrictive covenants. According to court documents, Fazio violated this agreement when she immediately joined Fourth Floor Fashion Talent, Inc. after her departure from 24 Seven on May 28, 2009.
“24 Seven has worked hard to develop relationships with clients and maintain a unique and highly skilled group of candidates,” says Celeste Gudas, President of 24 Seven. “We are grateful that the court recognized the value of our employment agreements designed to protect our business strategy and current employees.”
A trial date has been set for June 29th by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (Civil Docket No. 5512).
Popularity: unranked [?]
June 18th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Wow, I’d agree they took it just a bit too far. If they’re sending out press releases for this, I wonder what else they think is high priority news. jeesh.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:43 am
I guess it might have some legal reasons behind it – either suggested by lawyer or higher management.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Not their first forray into these waters: http://www.24seventalent.com/downloads/24seven_landmark_case.pdf
June 19th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
This PR should be a big red flag to companies that do business with this company.
As a recruiting expert and involved with a company that I realized was doing some shady deals and I left the company, they did something on this scale as well to make sure my voice wasn’t heard. It’s more to this story I’m sure.
John Polhill – Founder of CGTPA.org
June 21st, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I agree with John, there must be more to this story. Although, it is truly amazing what people will submit online as a press release. I think there is a disconnect between what companies deem appropriate to release to the news media via traditional channels and what they will post online!
June 24th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
If I was this person I would sue the hell out of this employer for defamation of character. They will win too.