A laid-off Gannett reporter has been told they can't freelance stories for their former newspaper, according to a company policy that's new to me. In an e-mail, the out-of-work Gannettoid writes: "They say it has something to do with fairness. Like, it's not fair to the writers who are there to pay folks who left to do work that could be going to staffers. I'm wondering if you can find out the policy. Maybe you can shake them loose."Now, I'm turning it over to you: If this is a policy at your worksite, what's the rationale? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.
Definitely not the case in Wilmington. One of our laid-off editorial writers has freelanced more than once for the features section.
ReplyDeleteThere was an issue when the first round of buyouts came knocking, about how those who took early retirement couldn't keep on, say, shooting photos as a stringer or writing an occasional column. But I think that's a separate issue, because the buyout packages were essentially pay. Right?
Not the case in Reno. Laid off reporters frequently freelance for the paper. In fact, I think they are being abused. I've seen at least one carry a fairly heavy workload at a fraction of what she made as an employee. And she doesn't get benefits. Clearly, the reporter who wrote in is being sold a bill of goods. Either that or the policy is different in his/her workplace.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I would do anything I could to freelance for people other than Gannett. The company doesn't pay freelancers well and there are a lot of opportunities out there for talented writers.
Not the case in Phoenix. Several of the reporters they laid off are freelancing for the paper now.
ReplyDeleteI was told the same thing when I was laid off from a Gannett Wisconsin paper last summer. I have found freelance assignments at larger papers but have been under the assumption that I can not write for Gannett. Those assisgnments would be really handy, if available, since Gannett Wisconsin controls the newspaper media in the area where I live.
ReplyDeleteAt the mothership, our laid-off people were told they can't freelance for any Gannett publication anywhere ever! The only way they can work for Gannett again is if they're hired, either full-time or part-time. It's for legal reasons: They say that they don't want it to look like they laid off a full-time worker to force him to be a benefits-less freelancer. We asked if there was something to sign to say "We won't sue you if you let us freelance," and they said no.
ReplyDeleteIf this is a load of crap, it sure would be nice to know. Conversely, if the company really could be sued for laying off people and then letting them freelance.... hmmmmmm.
I don't see how the company could be sued for laying someone off and then using them as a freelancer. Companies do things to cut expenses all the time. As deplorable as it may be, there's nothing illegal about freezing a pension plan or cutting somebody's hours back to part time.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if someone is denied work simply because they used to work at company X, that begins to sound like discrimination. And discrimination is illegal. Add in that fact that former Gannett employees are being allowed to freelance for Gannett elsewhere in the company and you start to have an interesting case. You may want to bring this up to the powers that be when you pitch your next freelance story.
wonder if it has anything to do with work-rights in a particular state or where there might be guild shops.
ReplyDeleteNot the case in Michigan.
ReplyDeleteThe Gannett Wisconsin situation may be more about deep cuts to free-lance budgets and having little free-lance money available than about restricting who can be a free-lancer.
ReplyDeleteI was one of the 26 people laid off at USAT in December. My supervisor had no idea it was coming, and she asked immediately if I could freelance, as my depature would cause a huge amount of workload reassignment. No dice. I was told that I can never write (or edit, my actual job there) for the paper on a freelance basis.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks for everyone involved because 1. I'd love the money and 2. I know exactly what kind of copy they need, and how to do it. So now I have to hear from my former coworkers about how bad the current freelance stable is, whereas I'm scrounging for work.
Blacklisting people for no reason really sounds borderline illegal. If Gannett lays somebody off and then says they can't have a business relationship with any Gannett paper (anywhere), they have gone a long way toward blacklisting that person from the industry ... for no reason. This may be worth consulting an attorney over.
ReplyDeleteJim, please tell us you're looking into this....
ReplyDeleteI reapplied for jobs at Gannett papers since being laid off -- jobs that I am, without a doubt, qualified for. However, I haven't been able to get anything other than one phone interview that went nowhere. My record at Gannett was excellent. Good reviews, steady raises and all of that. Yet there does seem to be a bias against former employees. I am not sure why. Seems rather stupid, in fact. Hiring back some people -- at any salary -- would create some much needed goodwill.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there's bias against former GCI employees because they know that anybody who's already worked for this hellhole will be looking for a better gig the minute they walk in the door. If they hire kids out of college, it may take the terrible management three or four years to beat them down to the point that they quit or go elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteThis was on the Gannett website - a part-time sports job at the Journal News, which is sorely hurting for sports reporters. Let's see if the "no rehires" practice holds here. IBM fired thousands of employees in the 1990s and hired them as contractors - same skills, no benies or insurance. Silly Gannett!
ReplyDeletePart-time Sports Reporter The Journal News (Westchester, NY) « Back to Search Form
Details
Location: NY - White Plains Job Type: Media - Journalism - Newspaper
Base Pay: N/A Required Education: High School
Bonus: Required Experience: Not Specified
Other: Required Travel: Up to 50%
Employee Type: Part-Time Relocation Covered: Not Specified
Industry Newspaper
Job ID:
Description
The Journal News, the leading information source in the Lower Hudson Valley of New York, seeks a part-time reporter to cover and write stories for print publication and online. You will be responsible for taking high school and college game reports and compiling roundups.
Part-time reporters should have a high school diploma; college degree preferred. Writing experience and PC skills required. Excellent communication skills required. Must have regular access to a motor vehicle.
The job being filled primarily involves sports content.
This is a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Candidates must have demonstrated ability to adapt their pace to the demands of the moment, must successfully complete assignments on time and must contribute to the strategic success of the organization.
Position is part time, days vary. Send resume to careers@lohud.com.
In Phoenix, we were told we couldn't use a laid-off worker as a free-lancer for 90 days. Thereafter, we were free to use them.
ReplyDeleteSo here's an update, for those of you paying attention. I was told that all laid off employees were banned from writing for USA Today. Period. I don't know if that ban extends to Gannett. This means that as a freelance journalist, I'm banned from writing for a fair number of papers. I don't want to say more because I still rely on my references so they have me over the proverbial barrel. But I can't understand how this possibly can be legal. If I took a buyout and agreed to certain terms, I'd understand. But I was laid off, folks. What could Gannett possibly gain by preventing me from being able to work? Any thoughts or ideas?
ReplyDelete