Unless the plan has changed, this is the week that Corporate will notify a number of Dallas Morning News employees they are laid off. It will conclude the fourth round of job cuts in the newsroom since 2001.
We remain interested in hearing from exes who have experienced this before and can provide wisdom to those who get the unfortunate news.
We also would like to hear advice for the employees left in the aftermath on how to best to rally around each other, heal the newsroom and move forward with the continuing challenges.
The forum is open.
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15 comments:
I find it interesting we're having a series in the paper that's something only newspapers can do. On this week of all weeks.
Will we keep doing this in the future?
Are we going to take up a collection for those who get laid off
There have always been those who resent these kinds of projects, preferring that the time and resources devoted to them should be given to the daily product. It's nothing new, but I think that resentment will only grow in the days ahead as line editors and mid-level managers are asked to do more and more with less and less. That's where strong leadership comes into play. It requires managers who work together instead of against each other. Not sure upper management can create that type of atmosphere or wants to.
Speaking from experience, it takes a considerable effort to collect money from the staff. I fear the time has passed for such an effort to begin. One can only hope that our soon to be ex-colleagues can understand that there is no disrespect intended. Four staff cuts in the past seven years takes its toll on the spirit as well as the pocketbook. Personally, I plan to shake hands with every laid-off person I can and tell them how much I appreciate their work and their friendship. If they let me, I will gladly buy them a beverage. I will also understand if they decline.
Are layoffs this week? Funny, I haven't read that anywhere from a company official. As an employee and a stockholder, you think that would be an important piece of information. Especially for those preparing for the future.
I don't know about the rest of you but this is sheer torture.
Several Providence Journal managers arranged for cake to mark the departure of 31 people laid off last week... At last count, there were at least four cakes scattered around the newsroom during the day. Somehow, it seemed just plain wrong to stand around eating cake while so many people were being laid off. On the one hand, it was nice that the company gave these employees two weeks' notice -- as opposed to what's apparently happening in Dallas and Riverside. Good luck to those of you waiting for the axe to fall. At least you got paid for the holiday today, unlike those in Providence. But on the flip side, you probably won't get cake.
My prediction is that most of the people over 45 who post here will be terminated.
If you have ever had a serious operation, you will go.
If you have had an extended health absence, you will go.
If you stayed in the old pension plan, you will go.
And, if you ever stood up to the idiots in charge, you will join the last, slow hangdog trudge out the back dock and into a new life.
It's better out there than the abusive environment in which you now work.
Don't think twice. It's alright.
anonymous said... "And, if you ever stood up to the idiots in charge, you will join the last, slow hangdog trudge out the back dock and into a new life."
Now I understand why none of the editorial staff is threatened.
Oh snap.
it's just amazing to me that a newspaper-- a watchdog of transparency-- can be so hush-hush about layoffs. This whole process has been as open and accessible as Cheney's secret hideout. How ironic.
Just FYI,
There has been a fair amount of chatter about the layoff occurring on Friday, Oct. 17, and that could well be the correct date. Or not.
In 2001, the layoff occurred on a Thursday. In 2004, it was a Wednesday. It's also possible that management can't meet its own deadlines because they have made things so complicated.
Can't speak for Riverside, but Columbus Day is NOT a paid holiday in Dallas. So, no, we didn't get paid for the holiday, either.
Not ironic. We're a company, not a newspaper. If we printed ads and no news, our board could care less.
"Watchdogs of transparency" doesn't apply to lawyers, human resource personnel or financial managers. They're in charge now. That's why we won't know anything. We're numbers. For some reason, that's a little easier for me to take than if they really didn't think highly of what I did.
In the take it for what it's worth category, word is that management is not likely to get its collective act together in time to do layoffs this week. Lawyer hangups are the reputed reason. No stacks of unfolded boxes have appeared in the newsroom to haul away personal effects, a telling sign.
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