These seven are at the newspaper's USA Weekend magazine, the Sunday-only insert, readers say in an e-mail and in this comment. The positions eliminated would be on top of the 20 job cuts already planned for USA Today's newsrooms. With 1,500 to 2,000 workers, USAT must have shed even more jobs, as the paper joins the rest of Gannett in trimming operations.USAT staff: How many jobs have been eliminated in total? Please add your numbers to our paper-by-paper tally, or in the comments section, below. You may also e-mail confidentially via gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com].
[Image: the current issue features singer Beyonce on the cover]
There have been one or two cuts (of the 20 in the newsroom) at USA TODAY that boggle the mind. These were talented folks who I don't think were breaking the bank. I didn't even know one of them very well but knew he was a major asset to the newspaper and who a lot of people relied on. Sure has to make one wonder about the judgment of those who decided upon some of these layoffs and whether that lack of good judgment will fuel suspicions and fears even more in the coming days and weeks.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know any of the Weekend people or some of the others who were lost in production and various other departments. I am sorry to see anyone lose their jobs. Let's keep all these people in mind and reach out however we can, not just now but in the many tough weeks and months ahead.
I'd like to think all the layoffs were justified, but again, I am just bewildered by some and can't help wondering what the real reasons were for letting go of some of our colleagues. Those left behind are also devastated by these losses and are losing faith in their managers and the business as a whole. I will never go to work feeling quite the same again. And I am one of the so-called lucky ones.
Who was cut at USA Weekend?
ReplyDeleteCertain positions that were "eliminated" had nothing to do with there not being a profound need for that position or the quality of the person in that position. Certain cuts were simply petty payback. Those who didn't realize their managers - the ones responsible for picking the names -were capable of that low of an act, now do. In a just world, those managers would be identified and lose their jobs over abusing their power.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, my heart is heavy for all the victims, but particularly those lost for highly unprofessional reasons. We're all going to pay the price for losing those folks so unfairly. It's a stain on a company.
As I understand it, there were 7 total cuts at USA WEEKEND: two in edit, one who was admin, and I believe two in the New York sales office and two positions that will now be left unfilled.
ReplyDeleteAny layoffs in the Chicago sales office for USA Weekend?
ReplyDeleteFrom another thread:
ReplyDelete12/03/2008 9:49 PM
USA Weekend lost 8% of its approx. 80 employees today. Two were vacant jobs that were frozen. Five were people who were let go.
-----
Two were in edit (VA). One was admin (VA). Two were in marketing (NY). Two were unfilled positions (NY).
Seven, Jim.
ReplyDelete"Add seven more jobs eliminated"