To The Chain of Command at Odyssey:
Recently, I learned some information that made me severely disappointed in the community that I had once been so immensely proud of.
On Wednesday, you laid off a large portion of your staff without warning, which was unfair to start with. But the part that sickens me the most is the fact that you did so in such an under-the-table, sneaky sort of way that is against everything I was once told Odyssey stood for. From the beginning of working here, I was always taught that one of the most important messages that Odyssey had to offer was being transparent and open with your thoughts and ideas.
I could hardly believe it when I heard it. I saw this website as something respectable, honorable, and something that gave a voice to the underdog. Something that let people speak their mind in a free and open environment. And then we were deceived by that very same website. You have undoubtedly shattered the open trust and respect that we have for the Odyssey staff and community. I understand that sometimes people have to be let go and that everything isn't always economically perfect. But what I find terrible is the fact that this was done in such a deceitful manner by the upper chain of command.
I sincerely hope that those in power at Odyssey acknowledge the mistakes that they have made and that they issue a formal statement to content creators, editors, and readers alike, letting them know exactly what has happened and why. Odyssey has always taught me to use my voice and to be "radically transparent" in the things I had to say, and then they were as opaque as ever.
If you respect your reputation at all, you will do all in your power to fix this. I hope I've managed to make my message clear to you.
You need to exercise the transparency and respect for others that you have so dutifully instilled in us.
Have a comfortable evening in your safe jobs. Please make sure to turn off the lights when you leave the office tonight, as you so dearly love keeping us in the dark.
Sincerely,
A Frustrated EIC
