At the height of the Black Summer bushfires, Emily Townsend burned her bridges.
It was January 10, 2020, a few minutes to midday. Sitting at her desk at News Corp's Sydney office, she scanned the email she had typed in a flurry of anger and anxiety that morning.
Not yet sent, it sat in her drafts mailbox like an unexploded bomb.
"I find it unconscionable to continue working for this company, knowing I am contributing to the spread of climate change denial and lies."
That was one line. Another read:
"Anxiety and disappointment are the feelings that have been occupying me over the last 24 hours, to the point where I am finding it incredibly difficult to focus on my work and do my job."
…
Around her, colleagues tapped away at their keyboards. A printer hummed in the open-plan office. Someone drifted by to ask about a meeting that afternoon. The clock ticked down to midday.
She had diligently addressed the email to everyone at News Corp, including the chairman and every last executive.
This is a good story about an exit done well.