[Ipg-smz] New Job Question: Trial Period to Full Time Staffer

[Daniel Dern]

On Thu, 31 Oct 2019, Liam Kelly via Ipg-smz wrote:
> The editor has stated that I need to stop writing for these companies 
> before beginning the trial period. I understand his reasoning (i.e. 
> conflict of interest), but it seems risky.

I agree it's risky to you.

Yes, it's challenging to work both sides of the fence/street concurrently. 
My Modus Operandi to avoid/minimize (potential) conflicts is Full 
Disclosure -- make sure all parties know who you're working for (taking 
money from).

And, ideally, don't do any trial-period pieces that directly involve your 
clients; where that's unavoidable, acknowledge the relationships within 
the article. (Perhaps slightly similar to how, say, NPR news segments 
about Facebook, etc. note that said company is a recent NPR sponsor.)

But until you become an employee, they're just another client. Are they 
offering you -- paid/escrowed in advance -- a year's worth of 
salary/revenue at the start of the trial period, in return for your 
letting go of existing PR work and relationships? I thought not.

What about any PR project you have are still working on? Would they let 
you finish them? What about assignments you've accepted but haven't 
started on?

Assuming all the above gets sorted out, that still leave one question to 
resolve: what about any projects you are still working on when (assuming 
the trial period converts to a full time job)?

Best of luck!

Daniel