Ni hao are you?
Many people may be wondering what happened to Rick O’Shea and Yuanyuan and their popular evening music show on China Radio International’s Easy FM. Well, wonder no more.
China Radio International has a policy of only allowing foreign employees to continue working there for less than 10 years. Under government regulations, according to some of the employees at CRI, staff (including foreign staff) are entitled to a fairly major bonus if they reach the 10-year mark. Other employees of CRI have been let go prior to their 10 year anniversary, including Stuart Parkins (sorry for the mis-spelling, Stuart!), who had devoted his time and effort to growing CRI.
Unfortunately, Rick O’Shea, after many years with the organization, was on the cusp of his 10 year anniversary. He was relieved of his duties, and Ding Yuanyuan resigned shortly thereafter. Yuanyuan is planning on marrying her fiance in the port city of Xiamen. No word on what Rick is up to.
Their show has been replaced by Richard and Yuting’s music show, which has had a tough time filling the large shoes left by Rick and Yuanyuan. However China Media has no doubt they will eventually find their own place on China’s radio landscape.
ni hao r u Rick
Comment by mm — May 29, 2007 @ 12:28 am
Parkins, not Perkins. I would like to add
that I had no idea that I would get a ‘fairly major
bonus’ if I stayed the whole ten years. I stayed that
long because I enjoyed working with most of my
colleagues and had a strong sense of loyalty to CRI.
CRI kept me on for nearly ten years because my work
was of a very high professional standard, I was hard
working and dependable, and possess a breadth of
knowledge that was invaluable in helping my colleagues
improve their work.
I can only guess why I was fired. One “reason” for my
sudden dismissal, so I was told, was that I gave
priority to outside work, not to CRI: During my time
with CRI, I turned down many job offers with much
better pay and more reasonable hours. If any of the
“leaders” at CRI have a modicum of socialist decency,
they should give me an honest explanation of the
reason(s) for my dismissal.
Comment by Stuart — May 30, 2007 @ 12:57 am
well stuart, I have a bit of a scoop from within CRI. Brought up this very topic with one of the head honchos and it appears that the reason they fired you was (I quote) “because he was a bit of a dick”
Comment by fredthered — May 31, 2007 @ 5:42 am
Thanks, fredthered. Smart honchos: it took them 9.5 years to find out that I am “a bit of a dick.”
Comment by Stuart — May 31, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
Sent incomplete message: addendum.
I can only guess how Rick feels, but at least he has a deeper insight into socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Comment by Stuart — June 1, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Stuart, I understand the bitter feeling after ending your work for CRI. You would think people would be rewarded for their loyalty and contribution to the growth of this channel. I was on CRI for more than 11 years. Every night, 4100 programs! I will always appreciate my colleagues who were a pleasure to work with. And the audience which was very supportive through all those years. As to the end, let’s just say I do have a deeper insight. And a bitter end leaves a scar on the memory.
Comment by r — June 19, 2007 @ 6:32 pm