Fired Author Wins Stunning Settlement; Physicist Who Pressed for Workplace Diversity Was Accused of 'Stealing Time'

Summary

---

WASHINGTON, March 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- After years of protests, justice has finally been won for fired Physics Today magazine staff editor Jeff Schmidt. The battle began when the American Institute of Physics (AIP), publisher of Physics Today, fired Schmidt after 19 years on the editorial staff, shortly after publication of his book "Disciplined Minds: A Critical Look at Salaried Professionals and the Soul-Battering System that Shapes Their Lives." His book examines and criticizes workplace hierarchy and the political subordination of employees.

AIP cited as justification the book's opening line, that it was written on "stolen time," a literary nod to Abbie Hoffman's "Steal This Book." However, supporters of Schmidt believe he was fired for the views in his book and for on-the-job activism. Schmidt, who is white, led a contentious effort to change the magazine's long- standing pattern of hiring and training only whites as editors. He also fought to increase staff participation in decision-making and to broaden the range of viewpoints allowed in the magazine.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Fired Author Wins Stunning Settlement; Physicist Who Pressed for Workplace Diversity Was Accused of 'Stealing Time'

Schmidt's dismissal led to political action by more than 1,000 scientist...

See the full content of this document

---