Great Layoff Wait of 2008

We begin Day Three of "The Wait" by offering an open thread for everyone to share credible signs that the layoffs are finally near.

The best information is news from a supervisor at the department head level or higher. That may not come.

There are other clues. Did you AME or department head show up in the office during a vacation? Was an HR official seen in your department with an arm full of folders? Was the conference room's windows covered up with paper? Were cardboard boxes laying around today?

Gathering after D-Day

Some commenters today have suggested meeting at an establishment on the day of layoffs and nursing the raw emotions with food and drink.

The idea would be that any fallen colleagues who came would eat and drink at no cost. The hope was that commiserating may provide temporary relief. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Exes, buyout alums and 1027s, would be welcomed as well.

One idea was meeting after work at the bar at Founder's Grill and lasting until all hours. It is walking distance from the Dallas newsroom on the first floor of the Hotel Lawrence.

For those who organize such a gathering, we will gladly advertise your time and location on this blog. Contact therockoftruth@gmail.com to provide specifics.

More comic relief

In "Broadcast News," head honcho Bill Rorich (played by Jack Nicholson) blames the staff for layoffs and dismisses the idea of minimizing cuts by reducing his own salary.

Watch more Hulu videos on AOL Video

Wanted: Advice for week ahead

There is no easy way to say it. The week ahead will be painful. We would like to hear from people who can provide wisdom on two topics that may help us all as the DMN executes more layoffs:

1) For colleagues who are summoned into meetings with their supervisors and HR, what papers might they be asked to sign on the spot? Will their severance depend on agreeing? Will any rights be waived?

2) What can employees who are not laid off do to rally around those who are? What show of support will help soothe a horrible situation? What can be done to honor these people before they leave the newsroom? What can be done after they go?

To start, Ed Bark offers thoughts.

Timely workshop

An alert reader has directed us to a free workshop on Nov. 1, "Becoming a successful freelancer: A workshop for writers and photographers," sponsored by SPJ's Fort Worth chapter and UTA.

Registration is required. The deadline is Oct. 29. The event starts at 8 a.m. at UTA's Fine Arts Building.

Session topics include: how to match story ideas to the right publications, the business of freelancing, freelance photography, and travel and environmental writing.

For more information, call Kim Pewitt-Jones at 817-480-1229 or send an e-mail to kim56@tx.rr.com.

Riverside layoffs hit

Sister newspaper, the Press-Enterprise in Riverside, Calif., laid off about 30 employees Thursday, according to multiple blogs.

Nearly a third of the cuts came from the newsroom. The losses were roughly the number that Corporate had announced it would eliminate.

The notifications came midafternoon, according to the well-regarded LAObserved blog. The management called a staff meeting hours later. Names then trickled out locally about the same time.

Throughout the coverage, one blog also reported that the Press-Enterprise is apparently leasing space in its building.

Delayed

UPDATED

Multiple reports are coming in from people in multiple departments that the layoffs have indeed delayed and will not conclude by Friday. Word circulating is that Corporate lawyers want more time.

The layoffs appear more likely to happen next week sometime. No further details at this time.