Earlier this month, Sykes Enterprises promoted Chuck Sykes, son of the company's founder and chief executive, to chief operating officer. It was his third promotion in as many years.
Co-worker Harry Jackson Jr. didn't fare so well.
Until recently, Jackson and Chuck Sykes held the same title at Sykes Enterprises, a Tampa company that performs outsourced customer support via a global network of call centers.
Jackson served as general manager and senior vice president of Sykes' call centers in Europe, the Middle East and Canada. Chuck Sykes had the same role for centers in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Asian Pacific Rim, an area that generates twice as much revenue.
But as Chuck Sykes was climbing the corporate ladder, Jackson - who received a salary of $204,372 in 2002, about $125,000 for living expenses in Amsterdam and options to purchase 107,700 shares of company stock - was falling off it.
Company officials called Jackson's departure April 3 mutual. However, a copy of his separation agreement says Sykes will pay Jackson's salary and health insurance only through June 30. It also will pay his airfare and moving expenses from Amsterdam.
In exchange, Jackson agreed never to sue his former employer, and to keep his mouth shut about the company and any claim he might have against it.
It's not clear whether Jackson was a serious candidate to replace CEO John Sykes, who plans to retire in two years. But Jackson's departure does mean one less competitor for son Chuck.
