Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Condé Nast Fires Four Employees After Confronting HR Head Over Layoffs
Imagine a company recently let go of some of its workers, including some from Teen Vogue magazine.
Some of the remaining employees were upset and went to talk to the head of human resources, Mr. Duncan, to ask why.
They filmed a video of their conversation.
Mr. Duncan asked them to go back to their jobs, but they wanted answers about their friends who lost their jobs.
The company then fired four of the employees who asked the questions.
The company said the employees behaved badly and were too aggressive.
But the union, which represents the employees, said firing them was unfair and broke their work agreement.
It's a disagreement about whether the employees were being too demanding or if the company was being unfair in firing them without a good reason.
Condé Nast fired four employees after they confronted HR head Stan Duncan about recent layoffs.
The confrontation occurred outside Duncan's office in Lower Manhattan and was filmed.
Condé Nast cited 'extreme misconduct,' including aggressive and disruptive behavior, as the reason for the firings.
The NewsGuild of New York, representing the employees, called the firings an 'egregious' breach of contract.
The layoffs were reportedly linked to the merger of Teen Vogue into Vogue.com.
- Who
- Condé Nast management and four employees (a senior fact checker for The New Yorker, a politics reporter for WIRED, a digital staffer for Bon Appétit, and a video staffer) represented by the NewsGuild of New York.
- What
- Condé Nast fired four employees for 'extreme misconduct' after they confronted the company's HR head, Stan Duncan, about recent layoffs.
- When
- Following a confrontation where employees questioned HR head Stan Duncan about layoffs.
- Where
- Outside the HR head's office on the 34th floor of One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.
- Why
- Condé Nast stated the firings were due to 'extreme misconduct,' including aggressive and disruptive behavior, while the union called the firings an 'egregious' breach of contract.
Employees' Union
Condé Nast
Confrontation Over Layoffs
Employees' Union
Employees were expressing concerns about recent layoffs and seeking answers from the HR head regarding their laid-off colleagues.
Condé Nast
The employees engaged in 'extreme misconduct,' including aggressive, disruptive, and threatening behavior, which violated company policy and constituted targeted harassment.
Just Cause for Termination
Employees' Union
The firings were an 'egregious' and 'flagrant breach' of the 'Just Cause' terms of the contract.
Condé Nast
The company has a responsibility to provide a safe and respectful workplace and cannot ignore behavior that disrupts business operations or involves harassment.
Interaction with HR Head
Employees' Union
Employees were trying to have a conversation and get answers about the layoffs, highlighting their workplace and the company's demand for in-person work.
Condé Nast
The HR head was guiding employees back to their workplaces and stated he was not able to speak with them in that setting.
- Company
- Condé Nast
- Location
- One World Trade Center, Lower Manhattan
- HR Head Confronted
- Stan Duncan
- Reason for Layoffs Mentioned
- Merger of Teen Vogue into Vogue.com
- Number of Employees Fired
- 4
- Accusation by Condé Nast
- Extreme misconduct
- Union Involved
- NewsGuild of New York