Do You Want Your “Asshole” Story in the AARP Magazine?

I just finished an interview with Adam Penenberg.  He is writing a story about workplace bullying for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Magazine, which has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world. Adam has a fascinating background.  If you check out his website, you will see that he is author of Tragic Indifference. This is an account of the Ford-Firestone SUV rollover fiasco, the biggest product liability case in history. Tragic Indifference is now being made into a movie, which will star Michael Douglas. Not only that, Adam’s real life character was played in the 2005 film "Shattered Glass," which his website describes as follows:

‘Hayden Christensen stars as Stephen Glass, a staff writer for the respected current events and policy magazine The New Republic and a freelance feature writer for publications such as Rolling Stone, Harper’sGeorge.
By the mid-90s, Glass’s articles had turned him into one of the most
sought-after young journalists in Washington. Although a number of his
stories had generated controversy, his copious notes always seemed to
satisfy The New Republic’s fact-checking department. That is, until a writer from the Forbes Digital Tool Web site, Adam L. Penenberg (played by Steve Zahn), began asking questions. "Shattered Glass" is a study of a very talented-and at the same time very flawed-character ."’

Adam is looking for stories from people who have faced workplace bullying.  He wants to hear from people about the damage done to them and their families, how they fought back, and how they ultimately made things better for themselves and others,  how they escaped, and perhaps how they exacted a measure of revenge . Of course, many stories like these have been published on this blog, and I continue to get (and deeply appreciate) more stories about workplace assholes.  But I have a policy of protecting the identity of people who send me their stories, especially people who have suffered workplace abuse.

Adam is looking for people who will name names, who will use their real names, the names of the people who abused them, and the names of organizations where this happened.  Adam argues, I believe rightly, that real stories with real names make for far more compelling storytelling.  Adam would like to talk with you if you are comfortable telling your story to him and having it published with real names.  I realize that many people who send me their stories will not be comfortable doing so, and that for others, doing so may stir-up problems, perhaps even legal problems.  If you talk to Adam, you should go in with your eyes wide-open. 

At the same time, Adam is a first-rate journalist, he adheres to the highest ethical standards, and is writing for an outlet that will handle your story with sensitivity and care.  And if you contact him, he won’t use your name and tell your story unless you comfortable with the "terms." In addition, as with stopping other kinds of "bad" behavior, authentic and vivid stories are essential for stomping out asshole ridden workplaces  — for showing the damage done and how to fight back.  So if you are able to speak-up, it is the kind of thing that can help save others from the suffering that you may have faced — and the impact will be especially large because of AARP’s massive circulation.

Adam’s email is adam@penenberg.com.  Please contact him directly if you are interested in telling your story to him.