These people are my friends and valued co-workers. If I had any options, I'd quit -- but I wouldn't even get unemployment then.
I am furious that it has come to this, and I blame top management for a lot of it. The economy has a part, but the string of stupid decisions that have come from corporate are unforgiveable. They have forgotten, or never cared, that we have an obligation and a reponsibility that go beyond just making a dollar. And they never wanted to hear anyone question the decisions. If you dared, you were told that perhaps you worked for the wrong company -- which turns out to be true.
Some of the other media companies that went down at least went down trying to maintain standards. Gannett is going down as if planned. Who will profit from that? I think it is a question that should be thoroughly investigated.
Those of you are gone or leaving today, I am so sorry. But it is likely to be worse for those left behind.
A look in someone's eyes. A cardboard box on an empty desk. A final conversation. Please share your layoff story in three or four paragraphs. Post replies in the comments section, below. Or e-mail via gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green sidebar, upper right.
"I wouldn't even get unemployment then..."
ReplyDeleteThis statement explains that you are a short sighted manager that only cares about him or herself.
You are afraid to take risks, and you want pity for doing the job that wanted.
You sound like every mid-manager I worked with at Gannett.
The reason why I don't work for the company anymore is because when I was forced to do something that I didn't agree with, I gave them my notice - immediate notice.
Give me a break. Perhaps this person has a family to support. A mortgage to pay. A kid to get through college. It's not like jobs grow on trees right now, so making a statement comes at what cost? Living on the street when the money runs out? That accomplishes a lot. I sympathize with the writer.
ReplyDeleteThe minute the economy turns anyone left in Gannett with talent and a brain will check out of the Roach Motel this company has become.
Anon 10:42 - I left Gannett’s OC/publisher ranks on my own for very similar reasons…many were stunned.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you’re being a bit harsh as Gannett’s culture doesn’t reward people to think bold and/or take risks as those who do risk their careers. And, as easy as it may have been for you and I to leave that’s not true for a majority of people in any company. So, lighten up a bit, especially at a time when so many are losing their jobs.
10:42 Maybe you have the luxury of self-righteous indignation, but most people do not. My spouse works for Gannett and right now I am reading the blog and reporting to him what I can about the status of the layoffs. We have three kids, college tuition, a mortgage and bills to pay and don’t have the luxury of just quitting because we don’t agree with how management is running the company. We both studied and fell in love with journalism 25 years ago because we felt if was our obligation to report the news fairly, accurately and impartially. But a lot has changed in our lives and the life of news organizations. I got out, but he has had the great opportunity to work in a field that has for the most part given him fulfillment and provided him a way to make a living. But today that could all come to an end. And we are not only worried about the income, but sad about the fact he now has to find a new path and not by his own choice.
ReplyDeleteYou don’t know the person who posted their comments that you felt so compelled to judge and stereotype. Just like I don’t know for sure that you are an unhappy, half wit who probably has nothing else to do all day but sit on the computer and cast stones at people who might just be trying to earn a living and support their family in an industry that actually meant something at one time. So save your uninformed rants for some other hate-mongering forum and like 10:57 says, “Give us all a break”.
people like 10:42 are the reason I wouldn't risk my own income to protect "them" They never took a management job, they never took a risk, they walk around with their higher moral convictions and say "we" should protect them.
ReplyDeleteInstead of trying to make the comapny better they walked away and "saved themselves. Selfish, self rightous asshole.
"Those of you are gone or leaving today, I am so sorry. But it is likely to be worse for those left behind."
ReplyDeleteNot to be a jerk here, but given the choice, I would rather still have a job. Despite what many think of Gannett as an employer, I don't think having a job is worse than no job.
signed,
recently departed.
"Just like I don’t know for sure that you are an unhappy, half wit who probably has nothing else to do all day but sit on the computer and cast stones at people who might just be trying to earn a living and support their family in an industry that actually meant something at one time."
ReplyDeleteYawn. It's almost like you've made a difference in your life.
You got one important point wrong.
I'm a happy half-wit that made good money in the business, and then left on my own terms when I realized that morons go to work in newsprint.
10:42 said: "I'm a happy half-wit that made good money in the business, and then left on my own terms when I realized that morons go to work in newsprint."
ReplyDeleteAfter leaving Gannett in 2004, I went back to teaching college, so I've had the pleasure of getting to know some smart folks. And some of the most intelligent people I've ever worked with have been print journalists.
Your comment about print journalists is not only mean-spirited but very, very poorly timed.