Jim Salinger's Dismissal

[Manukau heads obs]

On TV1 news 2 nite....he has been sacked.....from NIWA....
whats going on?
seemed to be the new article about the glaciers retreating was the nail in the coffin

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

I was saddened/surprised to hear on the news tonight that Jim Salinger has been 'Given the sack from NIWA'
I've always liked what Jim has said and have enjoyed his lectures.

JohnGaul
NZThS

[03Stormchaser]

I was saddened to hear on the news tonight that Jim Salinger has been 'Given the sack from NIWA'
I've always liked what Jim has said and have enjoyed his lectures.

JohnGaul
NZThS

Ive always thought he was a good sort, what was the reason??

[03Stormchaser]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/2361900/ ... m-Salinger

[Nev]

Here's a few excerpts from the original TVNZ story...

Face of NIWA sacked for being too public - ONE News
6:59PM Friday April 24, 2009

Dr Jim Salinger has been the public face of the organisation for three decades, but says it was his unauthorised talking to the media that's got him sacked.

Salinger, whose work as a science communicator has earned him accolades and even contributed to a Nobel Peace Prize, says he is now planning to sue his former employer for unjustified dismissal because according to him, he cannot understand why he was sacked.

What got Salinger fired is something that in the past brought him high praise - talking to the media.

And indeed, NIWA is not claiming any concern about what their principal scientist actually said to the media. It's that he defied new policy - speaking publicly without gaining prior approval.

(full story...)

[tgsnoopy]

That's disgusting. I hope the employment court fines the heck out of them, awards most of the fine to him and re-instates him in the job.

Whomever made that decision needs to be called on it. At best it would be a written warning, certainly not dismissal on a first offense!

[RWood]

I think it's appalling, and suspect some government-friendly individual is behind it. I've known Jim Salinger for almost 30 years.

[Nev]

Seems to me that Jim Salinger is being victimised for not towing the new government's party line and being too outspoken on 'Climate Change' issues?

Some disturbing reading in this morning's NZ Herald...

Niwa man fired for media talk
4:00AM Saturday Apr 25, 2009 - By Mathew Dearnaley

...Dr Salinger, 62, says he was summarily dismissed from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) at 4pm on Thursday, and given three and a half hours to clear out his Auckland office. He told the Weekend Herald he received no formal written warnings leading to his dismissal, which followed a 27-year career as a Government scientist, and no criticism of his work.

...He [Salinger] said that of three instances cited against him of talking to media organisations without proper approval, two involved Television New Zealand, with which Niwa had a contract under his management to provide weather information. In one of those cases, he said he gained clearance from Niwa's national communication manager for a reporter to join a snow-line survey flight, only to be told afterwards that he should have sought approval from someone else.

(full story)

[southernthrash]

It is pretty crap that this has happened.

A lot of thoughts on the issue.

[Willoughby]

Sounds like they really wanted to get rid of him and pounced at the opportunity.

[Andrew Massie]

Shocking! Well, from what I've heard, NIWA isn't a very good employer, so this cements that for me.

[Manukau heads obs]

i read that they recently moved premises too, closer to the waterfront, in Auckland.....

[tich]

That's disgusting. I hope the employment court fines the heck out of them, awards most of the fine to him and re-instates him in the job.

I agree. NIWA management's refusal to comment on the reasons for the sacking is an act of cowardice in my opinion - maybe let's mail them some white feathers.

[Razor]

What a shocker. I hope NIWA gets done over in the employment court. At my job (involves the South Island rural High Country) we understand NIWA is an acronym for "No Idea Whats Ahead"

[Manukau heads obs]

I see that other people (e.g met service) have commented that they have been told not to comment....
really is a very bizzare thing....
and sends a bad image around the world and must be damaging to niwa's reputation...I would say they are shooting themelseve in the foot badly...
maybe its spurred on by someone who wants his job...i.e next in line...

[ScottyD]

maybe its spurred on by someone who wants his job...i.e next in line...

Either that or there was someone new in charge who just wanted to flex some muscle, or gets satisfaction out of a showing they have power. Could they have small man syndrome?

[jrj]

I don't understand the adulation afforded to him. Whenever he came on, I switched off

[Manukau heads obs]

but knowone desrves to be treated the way he has , after 27 years of service
(mind you Paul Holmes was similar marched off too!)

[RWood]

I don't understand the adulation afforded to him. Whenever he came on, I switched off

Perhaps because you're a climate change cynic? I've known Jim Salinger for about 30 years and his international reputation is well-merited. NIWA will pay for this - in more ways than one - I predict.

[tgsnoopy]

Like I said, no written warnings, NIWA look out in the employment court, you are going to get what's coming to you.

Unbelievable treatment of a world class respected scientist

[jrj]

Got it in one

[Andrew Massie]

Ha ha! Gives new meaning to "No Idea What's Ahead!" We'll sit back and see...

[jrj]

Hopefully they will desist in publishing the "seasonal outlook forecasts", which are about as useful as forecasting by the m**n

[Manukau heads obs]

they should though only be used as a rough guide (and then fine tune yourself )

[spwill]

they should though only be used as a rough guide

Yes, but Niwa had 80% confidence levels for their Autumn prediction for the North of the country, average to above average temps /rainfall. We had a cool and dry March, April should finish closer to their prediction .