Friday, December 26, 2008
Friday | Dec. 26 | Your News & Comments
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29 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
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It's Boxing Day!
ReplyDeleteNEWS WATCH (This week’s edition):
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to All
The Corporate News Department team extends a Happy Holidays wish to our colleagues and friends and their families. For those who celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanza or who celebrate in some other way, we wish you the very best during this holiday season.
… Or, as put another way:
To All My Gannett Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
To My Other Friends:
Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!
I was reading comments from yesterday, is it true that the Westchester website had a video up of a log burning in a fireplace? There must be some innovators working there.
ReplyDeleteYeah, nothing says Merry Christmas quite like plagiarizing spam that's been passing through in-boxes for years.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jim! Happy holidays. Thanks for all you do. I just talked to a colleague at corporate (former colleague, actually - this person was laid off on the 12.03.08 massacre) and it made me realize that we have no scoop here about what happened at corporate in December. Are the VPs all gone? Does anyone remain? I know there were several NPD lay offs, because my friend was one of them. Hook us up with some details!
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is metromix?
ReplyDeleteYes its true that the Westchester web site had a yule log. I used it and I am in NJ! Wondering why my former paper couldnt have had the same available for its readers. OH thats right app.com SUCKS!!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any real information about the possibility/probability of layoffs 1Q09? Does it depend on the numbers or is it already planned? Inquiring minds want to know!
ReplyDeleteAre there any lawsuits, individual or class action, out there over recent layoffs? My layoff seems highly suspicious, and not just because I am obviously bias. My job was not "eliminated" as the wording was stated in my separation papers. They just moved someone internally into the job but didn't give that person my former title (or pay). Being that I am no spring chicken, there are obvious questions of age discrimination that come to mind. I also have reason to believe that other personal issues came into play when they selected me to be laid off. My annual reviews were good. Never had any disciplinary action taken against me in my more than 10 years with Gannett. In fact, I was pretty well respected by most of my colleagues in and out of my department. So you can imagine how this layoff is still eating at me and why I am wondering if others also have some suspicions about their layoffs that might lead to legal action. Just from the fact that my job was immediately filled tells me that my layoff was not about "job elimination." Is that legal? I know it isn't ethical. Funny how this company makes employees sign ethics policies, and then does crap like this.
ReplyDelete9:56 AM, the biggest East Coast Gannett papers laid off a large part of their digital staff, so it would be no wonder they'd have to go to the bottom of the barrel to find something to upload for mixed media content.
ReplyDeleteWhich reminds me that I was going to pose the question here: How is it that Dubow et al, as webcast from the UBS show in New York, promised investors an enlarged commitment to digital a week AFTER they laid off so many producers and editors creating and maintaining the digital product?
The same positions were "eliminated" at several papers I know of, so the pattern dispells any notion EEs were targeting individuals. Community conversation editors, web producers and even one whole newsroom IT department were eliminated, from what I read. IMHO, at least three good-size papers now host drastically diminished websites with relatively little news.
10:34 AM - An under 30, beautiful people only entertainment site. The best site feature T&A photos of drunk females. Kind of like "Girls gone wild".
ReplyDeleteMetromix is a partner to create regionalized nightlife and entertainment Web sites using local stories and pooled content.
ReplyDeleteLet's all pray that Craig Dubow suddenly becomes a genius in '09.
ReplyDelete12:14 PM- We can only hope, but I believe we would have a better chance with World Peace!
ReplyDeleteI began thinking about 12:14 PM's commment on Dubow becoming a genius...
ReplyDeleteWe should not put all the blame on Dubow, he is getting input from the idiots that report to him.
Christmas has passed, why hasn't the new messiah Sedarkis saved the company yet?
ReplyDelete11:54 AM...I've called a lawyer about filing a lawsuit against gannett. I don't want to go into details at this point since I have an unemployment hearing coming up but don't take it if you think you were wronged by gannett. You're not the first and you won't be the last.
ReplyDeleteA Christmas Memo From Corporate...
ReplyDeleteGreetings!
The usual large flamboyant typeface associated with the seasons greetings has been downsized this year commensurate with the trend toward corporate downsizing.
The recent announcement that Donner and Blitzen have elected to take the early reindeer retirement package has triggered a good deal of concern about weather they will be replaced, and about other restructuring decisions at the North Pole.
Streamlining was appropriate in view of the reality that the North Pole no longer dominates the season's gift distribution business. Home shopping channels and mail order catalogues have diminished Santa's market share and he could not sit idly by and permit further erosion of the profit picture.
The reindeer downsizing was made possible through the purchase of a late model Japanese sled for the CEO's annual trip. Improved productivity from Dasher and Dancer, who summered at the Harvard Business School, is anticipated and should take up the slack with no discernible loss of service. Reduction in reindeer will also lessen airborne environmental emissions for which the North Pole has been cited and received unfavorable press.
I am pleased to inform you and yours that Rudolph's role will not be disturbed. Tradition still counts for something at the North Pole. Management denies, in the strongest possible language, the earlier leak that Rudolph's nose got that way not from the cold, but from substance abuse. Calling Rudolph "a lush who was into the sauce and never did pull his share of the load" was an unfortunate comment, made by one of Santa's helpers and taken out of context at a time of year when he is known to be under executive stress.
As a further restructuring, today's global challenges require the North Pole to continue to look for better, more competitive steps. Effective immediately, the following economy measures are to take place in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" subsidiary:
The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree never turned out to be the cash crop forecasted. It will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance.
The two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are therefore eliminated.
[The three French hens will remain intact. After all, everyone loves the French]
The [four calling birds] were replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked.
The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors. Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks appear to be in order.
The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded. It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day is an example of the decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure management that from now on every goose it gets will be a good one.
The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times. The function is primarily decorative. Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes and therefore enhance their outplacement.
As you know, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought. The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility. Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching.
Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps.
Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords plus the expense of international air travel prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant because we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year.
Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music and no uniforms will produce savings which will drop right down to the bottom line.
We can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and other expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can drop ship in one day, service levels will be improved.
Regarding the lawsuit filed by the attorney's association seeking expansion to include the legal profession ("thirteen lawyers-a-suing") action is pending.
Lastly, it is not beyond consideration that deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to stay competitive.
Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number. Happy Holidays!
Success has many fathers, failure just one .. ask George Bush. It's time for you to go Craig.
ReplyDeleteWho put those Idoits in their positions? Santa Clause - It's time for you to go Graig. Has a nice ring to it, (you can take yours with you)
ReplyDelete11:54: You don't need a class-action lawsuit to sue. Neither do you need a wave of other lawsuits. Just talk to a lawyer in your state, and you'll get better advice than you will here.
ReplyDeleteMy job was not "eliminated" as the wording was stated in my separation papers. They just moved someone internally into the job but didn't give that person my former title (or pay).
Your JOB may have been eliminated, but the WORK goes on. You can't just cut a copy editor and then have no one to edit copy - or manufacture widgets, or sweep floors, or whatever work it is you do, unless the company is indeed eliminating all that WORK by dropping a product line or a division. Someone else will pick up the duties.
Your JOB is Reporter II, or Copy Editor III, or what-have-you - a full-time equivalent slot that performs just one function of the overall WORK. Just because the company did not move someone in to your specific JOB - Update Editor, Newsroom Administrative Assistant, Sports Reporter, whatever - does not mean they can't give someone those duties, or that the WORK just stops.
To think otherwise is silly.
Dear newspaper colleagues,
ReplyDeleteI am a former Gannett manager who was laid off in August. I have since been hired by another paper and am now receiving applications for a posted opening.
I wanted to share a few pointers with those of you who are job-seeking. It may keep your resume from heading straight into the round file.
Most of this is common sense, but you'd be surprised at the dumb mistakes I am seeing from experienced journalists, mistakes that immediately put those applicants in the 'maybe' or, worse, the 'no' pile. And with so many applicants, those in the 'maybe' pile likely won't make it to the 'yes' stack.
My advice:
1. There's a lot of competition out there, and editors don't have much time to go through a stack of applicants. Therefore, your cover letter has to stand out immediately. Make it conversational, highlight your experience and work ethic, and skills such as video, online, pagination, etc.
2. Make sure everything is spelled right and is grammatically correct. Check facts, especially those about the paper, such as whether it's the Journal Record or Journal-Record. Details matter. One little typo and I'm immediately turned off, perhaps irrevocably.
3. Be brief in your cover letter. Do not ramble. I'm not going to hire an editor or reporter who can't self-edit his or her own cover letter. A few paragraphs are sufficient.
4. Have a friend or former co-worker edit your cover letter and resume. They'll spot things you will overlook.
5. Follow the standard form for resumes. There are a lot of good books out there on how to write a resume. Buy one and adhere to it. A half-assed resume that doesn't follow format tells me you will be a half-assed employee.
6. Do NOT put anything negative in your cover letter. One applicant wrote that he'd been laid off and was 'willing to relocate, if I have to.' That sounds like someone who grudgingly would take my job. I ain't offering it to someone who is not eager and appreciative.
7. A lot of good people have been laid off. You can mention it in the cover letter, but do not dwell on it. Don't go into the details of why you were let go. Don't care.
8. Be positive and enthusiastic. You may be depressed and despondent, but never let that come through in your correspondence with potential employees. Be aware that you may not realize that's how you are coming across. Another good reason to have someone else look at your stuff before you send it out.
9. If you are laid off, wait a couple of days, at least, before throwing yourself into the job search. I look back at the cover letters I wrote in the first few days after being let go, and cringe. The frantic desperation and panic came through, even though I tried to keep it upbeat. Take a little breather before you set out on the job search.
10. Follow up an e-mailed resume with a call, if you can. Just a quick call to introduce yourself will help your resume stick in my mind as I'm going over applicants.
11. Choose your clips carefully. Select a small but varied selection of your best work. I don't have time to read through mundane meeting stories or look at blah layouts.
12. I repeat, be positive, concise, eager, accurate, highlight your skills and willingness to relocate, work for a smaller paper, and, for god's sake, spell my name and the name of the paper, city and state right.
Good luck.
5:48 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you are a manager who had something to do with making up the hit list. Your comment has that certain arrogant tone that's oddly familiar to me somehow.
My letter said my job was eliminated. Someone was transferred from another shift and given that JOB.
Therefore, the JOB was not eliminated. I was.
5:48, You can too cut a copy editor and proceed like usual. It's just that more crap gets in the newspaper and on the Web site. It's an equal opportunity downer, both print and Web suffer.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying it's right, it's Gannett.
11:09,
ReplyDeleteWas the person transferred from another shift given your exact job title, duties and pay? I doubt it.
No, I'm not a manager. I'm just sick of hearing from people whining who think that because someone else is picking up the slack after their departure means they have a basis for suing.
If that were the case, very few companies would be able to lay people off. Think about it. Someone still has to edit copy, write stories, make widgets. If you were a reporter, someone will still be covering your beat. That doesn't mean they're doing your job.
Here's an example... a photographer is laid off. The reporters now are asked to do more photography themselves to help make up the gap. They're not taking the place of the photographer, but simply getting more duties. Got it?
I didn't think you liked boxes?
ReplyDelete11:54
ReplyDeleteYou have a possible basis for age discrimination if 1)you are over the age of 40 and you were replaced with someone under 40 (or appreciably younger than you; i.e. if you are 62 and your replacement is 45) and 2)the aforementioned replacement has ONLY your prior job duties.
What's crummy about discrimination suits of any kind is that they are so loaded in favor of the employer. The burden of proof lies with the employee, and especially so if you are in an at-will state. Lawyers like BIG suits - like Walmart - and also require a "smoking gun" of proof. Individual suits fall into "he said, she said" complaints.
Discrimination laws sound really good - but they are hard to prove. And I can't help but wonder if this economy if EEOC won't be even MORE pro-employer.
Even harder to prove since each of the ones at Gannett had at least five levels of approval by all kinds of beagles and eagles and lawyers and vetters and outside counsel and friends of the court and anyone else you might have thought of.
ReplyDelete11:54
ReplyDeleteYou can file a simple request with the EEOC. Just go on line and find which district. The form is very simple. After you file it, they notify the employer, do an investigation and then make a decision. I could be wrong, but I think you have to file with the EEOC and they have to do their work before you can file in court.
Good luck to you. I found the EEOC to be very professional and easy to work with.