Amy Jacobson Bikini Video at Heart of Court Case; Lesson to Learn by Other Professionals

The now famous case of Amy Jacobson vs. CBS affiliate is now going forward. A lawsuit filed by former Chicago NBC TV reporter Amy Jacobson against a CBS affiliate has been ruled on by a Cook County judge. The ruling allows Amy Jacobson to sue the CBS affiliate station over the statements and reports it made upon the release of now famous Amy Jacobson bikini video.

The video of Amy Jacobson, swimming in Craig Stebic swimming pool raised eyebrows because Stebic was being investigated for the disappearance of his wife. Jacobson was an NBC-5 TV reporter, doing a doing on Craig Stebic and his wife's disappearance. As a result of the video release, Jacobson was fired from her NBC job. She was also catapulted into unwanted fame, because CBS had made "defamatory" statements according to Amy Jacobson's complaint.

Amy Jacobson has committed career suicide, and according to her interview with WGN Radio's Spike O'Dell, Jacobson admits that she was unprofessional and that her behavior was inappropriate. However, she denies any wrongdoing on the personal level, and explains how the video release ordeal hurt her family and friends. Jacobson has been unemployed as a result of her being fired by NBC-5, her income has suffered and Jacobson has even gone through a divorce.

Amy Jacobson Bikini Video has important lessons for all professionals. Here are five ways in which one can avoid getting into this situation to begin with:

1. Always be professional in office settings. Whether you are a journalist of an employee working in an office, remain a respectable employee by holding on to a higher moralistic standard.

2. Keep the personal life out of it. Socializing with fellow employees in clubs our outside of the work setting may seem like a good idea. But a wrong or embarrassing move outside of the office can cost you a good career with just one phone call.

3. Say no to freebies. The freebies that may come your way can range in gifts, services to special discount offers. Refuse all gifts, they can be seen as improper bribes even if your intentions are not improper ones.

4. What happens on your day off can come back to haunt you. Amy Jacobson was swimming in Craig Stebic's pool on her day off. Even if it is your day off, your job and your professional position should not mix with it. Remain professional with clients or customers, even on your days off.

5. Watch how and what you write down. I say this because sometimes a journalist or even an office employee can write a follow up note to a customer or another professional. However, these notes can sometimes be improper or too personal, regardless if they are on paper or through e-mail. Remain professional in your words and follow up notes.

Sources:
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2009/02/amy-jacobson-wins-round-one-in-court-against-cbs-.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxJFyZFddrA

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/12/amy-jacobson-revisited.html