Q: I am a freelancer who left an arts reporting position after four years at a 30K daily for a number of reasons but primarily because of office politics.
I am a good writer and loved my job very much. I had the respect of my sources and co-workers, the admiration of my readers (so they said, anyhow) and was told by all my publishers and editors I did quite well at my job.
I had two editors and they dislike each other. Subsequently, I feel like I became a foot soldier in their war. I tried to stay out of it, but, for example, each would talk disparagingly of the other when I went to conference with them so it would seem as if I was sympathizing with them and talking badly about the other. I would just remain quiet or change the subject when one would do that, but without fail the other would be angry with me, or at least angry at me. They constantly assigned stories for me to do that overlapped each other time wise, and then sent me in to work out which of their stories I would do.
One of these editors is a consummate problem for the entire newsroom. She is well-avoided if possible by all, and has a reputation as catalyst for reporters spontaneously quitting. Many have complained for years about her. I tried to resolve some of my problems with her constructively by writing them down in my two-year review. I reviewed the points I made with others to make sure they were constructive and that I was blaming myself equally. But the managing editor asked me to re-write my evaluation anyway because he did not "want to upset (that editor)". I was surprised but told him I would like a day to think it over. Ten minutes after I left his office, he showed the editor in question the review, and she began screaming (literally) at me in front of the newsroom. Such problems, and far worse, continued for years and I was miserable, even though I adored my work.
I know this seems like a lot of whining, and frankly it is. But I miss news papering, and I hope to do it again someday. I love it with all my heart. So the questions are, even though when I left I didn't tell anyone why and they all (or most all) like me and still give me great references, did I mess up my chances of getting a job in the future by quitting, and two, is this just the sort of thing I should expect to live with in newspapers.
Pawn
A: I'm surprised you stayed as long as you did.
No, this is not the sort of newsroom behavior you should expect -- or tolerate.
You were right to leave. The references should help, you're right to keep interviews as professional as possible and I think you should be able to find a new job.
