Former Globe & Mail journalist Jan Wong has been ordered by an arbitrator to repay an undisclosed severance for violating a confidentiality agreement signed when she left the newspaper in 2008.
The Globe began its proceedings against Wong after the May 2012 publication of her memoir, Out of the Blue. The self-published book details Wong’s clinical depression and the legal battle against her former employer, which she claims refused to acknowledge her illness.
In a statement, the Globe says it “took this action on principle to protect the confidentiality of private negotiations with both its union and its staff and to maintain a system which respects the privacy of personnel matters. … For that reason, The Globe has not responded to allegations made by Jan Wong and nor will it.
Out of the Blue was originally scheduled to be published by Doubleday Canada. In a May 2012 interview with Q&Q, Wong said that Doubleday Canada publisher Kristin Cochrane had concerns about the manuscript and wanted all references to the Globe removed. Wong refused and ultimately decided to self-publish the book, which went on to become a bestseller.
The Globe says it will donate the money from the settlement to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.
Related link:
Contact us via email
