Apple's Former Keynote Address Producer Files Suit Claiming Steve Jobs Promised Lifetime Position

[macUser2007]

Wow! So much conjecture and so many willing to blame anyone but Apple.

We don't know the details, but I suppose if there was any reliance on the promise and if the guy gave up something in exchange, then Apple will likely have to pay.

For instance, if MS was looking to hire him as a consultant and when he mentioned it to Jobs, the reply was "No, you can't take that job, we need you here at Apple and I rest assured that if you stick with us, you got a job for life here and we'll take care of you."

I would assume there is some evidence, otherwise no decent lawyer would take it.

 

[techwhiz]

Verbal Agreements in California

The only type of contract in California that must be written to be valid is one that deals with real property. Rental, lease, purchase contracts, etc. must be in writing to be enforceable. no other type of contract need be. Not proving the contract may be difficult but that has no bearing on whether or not it must be in writing.

 

[george-brooks]

While I agree that the plaintiff's logic is dumb, Apple's stated reason for firing a veteran employee who has time and time again proven his incredible talent is equally dumb.

 

[Krazy Bill]

Edit: Crap. Wrong thread.

In the Note.app, are all the "Find" commands still greyed out in 10.8.2? (Under the Edit > Find menu).

If so, honestly, I don't understand what the problem is with this. If Apple is concerned I'm going to hurt somebody by searching my notes then remove the find commands altogether.

 

[coachingguy]

From reading the article, it appears they cut his position, or am I missing something. If they cut his position, I think he's screwed...

I saw somebody post about his incredible talents...

I've watched probably 8-10 Keynotes... I've not been astounded by them from a production value.

Haven't we read before that someone else creates the slides? Then you just have to get the timing down. Granted, Steve was a perfectionist, and we saw a few misfires during Keynotes, but what did he do exactly that was so valuable?

How many of you give presentations regularly, could have probably stepped in and produced one of these?

"Steve, you get a cool remote, wear jeans and black mock turtleneck."
"Tech, make sure everything works for Steve and the other speakers."
"Sound and Lights... uhm, do whatever you do so it sounds good and is lighted right."
"Slide Guy, make sure to use the really cool Keynote transitions...so, people run out and buy 'I want what Steve Jobs used'"


I'm mocking of course, but you get the idea.

Coachingguy

 

[charlituna]

Why would you be surprised? If it so hard to prove when it does happen that leaves CEOs free to make it as an empty promise since they wont have to be legally liable for it.

Steve Jobs didn't just retire, he died. Something he knew was very likely when he made this promise. If it was made in a closed room with no witnesses it would be contested. If he really liked the guy enough to make the promise he would have taken steps to ensure it was known

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While I agree that the plaintiff's logic is dumb, Apple's stated reason for firing a veteran employee who has time and time again proven his incredible talent is equally dumb.

We don't know Apples reason. Only what he claims it was and what he claims Apple said? For all we know he was caught using his access to internal info to leak things to the blogs. Or he was showing up from lunch clearly drunk. Etc