Daniel J. Schreiber, director of the Buchheim Museum until a few days ago, is fighting against his dismissal without notice. Together with Claudia Lamas Cornejo, the company’s head of communications, who was also fired, he has filed a lawsuit against unfair dismissal with the aim of “determining the continued existence of the employment relationship”. Schreiber announced this in a written statement on Friday. And adds: “We are sad that we cannot continue our beloved work at the moment and hope that the situation will be clarified soon.”
The foundation accuses museum director Daniel J. Schreiber of “serious misconduct”.
(Photo: Georgine Treybal)
The Süddeutsche Zeitung found out about the surprising separation last week when the museum was succinctly informed that Schreiber no longer works here. When asked, the Buchheim Foundation, as the sponsor of the museum, announced that the museum had parted ways with its director and press officer on August 11th. “The step was unavoidable,” it said, for reasons of personal protection, no further information was given.
But in the meantime, Walter Schön, the chairman of the board of the foundation, has specified the reason for the termination in a written statement. Over the past ten years, Schreiber has developed the Museum of Fantasy with great success. “We would therefore have liked to continue with him in the future; we regret all the more that a separation was unavoidable due to serious misconduct, especially in the management of the employees.” However, the unequal treatment of employees for personal reasons was in breach of duty and led to a significant disruption of peace in the company. “We couldn’t accept that in the interests of all employees.” This was also reported to the writer.
By contrast, Schreiber’s account gives the impression that the dismissal on his 58th birthday came like a bolt from the blue. He was dismissed without notice on August 11 by Schön and Stephan Römer, a member of the board, he reports. The press officer was dismissed immediately after his. The resignation letters did not give any reasons for the dismissals. “Even after repeated inquiries from the lawyer I hired, no reasons have been given to this day,” writes the former director. Schön, on the other hand, states in his statement that the lawyers had exchanged views on this.
According to his own account, Schreiber learned from the newspaper and from third parties that the board of directors stated that his dismissal was unavoidable because of a disturbance in the peace of the company. He assures that this was not disturbed from his side. “Collegial and appreciative interactions are very important to me.” Otherwise there was no reason for termination. When asked whether there had been talks with him on the subject of industrial peace before the actual dismissal, Schreiber did not respond, while Schön confirmed that talks had taken place
Press spokeswoman Claudia Lamas Cornejo, who wanted to combine yoga and art, also had to go.
(Photo: Georgine Treybal)
As for Claudia Lamas Cornejo, who herself has not yet spoken personally to the SZ: In Schreiber’s opinion, her friendly, open manner has significantly improved the working atmosphere. Through her work, she has already ensured a considerable increase in the visibility of the Buchheim Museum in the press and social media in her first year of service. “A large part of the success of our exhibitions are thanks to their committed PR work,” says Schreiber.
For the time being, he looks with pride at what he has achieved. “During my period of service, our team managed to keep visitor attendance stable at almost double the level.” He cites the opening of the house for exchange with other collections and museums, which was achieved together with the board of directors, as the reason for this, which was not possible before he took office in 2013.
According to Schreiber, the museum has been benefiting from his initiatives, especially in recent times. He refers to the “Brücke + Blauer Reiter” exhibition, with which the museum in 2022 surpassed the level of visitors before the Corona crisis. In September, the “Musical Swings” by the Canadian artists’ group “Daily tous les jours” will be the first milestone in the “Wonderful World of Bernried”, a joint project with the municipality of Bernried. And thanks to the Otto Waalkes exhibition he brought about, 2023 will be one of the museum’s most successful years.
But now Schreiber and Claudia Lamas Cornejo have to wait and see. Erich Schneider, member of the board of trustees and director of the Museum für Franken in Würzburg until 2020, will look after the house on Lake Starnberg until the labor court has decided on the lawsuit for protection against unfair dismissal.