Thursday, August 11, 2011
Brevard | Final newsroom staff decisions out today
45 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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Good luck to all the wonderful news staffers in Brevard. Hard to imagine more cuts are even possible. What a sad day!
ReplyDeleteTo those employees who ever spoke their mind during their employment, I wish you the best in your future. Although today will be your last day at Gannett, you can leave with your head held high knowing you leave with your principles intact. This isn't the end, this is the beginning. Relax, enjoy the TPP and go work for Patch or some other internet news company in whatever capacity you worked at for Gannet. Start smiling- You are FREE!
ReplyDelete@7:02 AM. Thanks. I guess that means me. I have never hesitated to speak my mind, especially during my "interview." I'll post an update after my HR appointment!
ReplyDeleteSadly but unsurprisingly, the early reports about who's in/out are as awful, according to one of my readers.
ReplyDelete8:48- 7:02 here. Your interview meant nothing. The decision was made weeks ago- before they even announced the "re-application process". Heed my advice from my earlier post and start to enjoy your life now.
ReplyDeleteBTW- the usual way of doing this is to call in the people they are keeping first.
ReplyDeleteMy best thoughts go out to those who got cut today. It feels like a kick in the gut when it happens (and it happened to me in June). But it can also be a relief. You may have lost a job, but you got rid of a lot of crap in your life today, too. Take a deep breath and be brave. You will make it.
ReplyDelete7:02: How does one get a job with Patch?
ReplyDeleteYou will feel great relief!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeing let go in no way means that you weren't an excellent worker.
Just look at who is making all the changes and know that you actually will be relieved of this place.
FT is run very poorly and it will only get worse.
Consider yourself lucky.
Good luck and be excited,
it's going to be one of the best things to happen to you.
Just wait till the conversion to new front end goes into effect. There is no one left in news who know the intricate ways of the current system, so the transition should be very painful. The 3 stooges (B, J & J) will be scrambling for excuses and placing blame...
ReplyDeleteLike watching a horrid accident in slow motion.
To the people who are gloating that you kept your job at Florida Today. Enjoy it now. That will be all over in a few months or so given the horrible management at that place. I got out a long time ago, but that company took from me more than it gave. By the time I left that place, I had no car (my engine had literally blown from all of the miles put on it for "work" purposes), had to catch up on sleep for a week straight, and had a shabby personal life because I was working all of the time. About 60 percent of the people who made my life a living hell got let go. Not this cut, but with the first cut. If you think it was bad back then, think again. The managment is heartless, and will want results despite of the limited resources the paper now has. Corporate will not hold their hands, and management in general there is rather wet behind the ears, inexperienced or cowardly. I will say this to those who got out. It may take awhile to pick up the pieces. It has taken me more than awhile... But in the end, it will be the best thing that ever happened to you. Godspeed....
ReplyDelete7:05pm, the new front-end system will go in without problems. No one will be blamed, life will be great, you will get 10% reduction in insurance premiums, 5% long term bonus, 100% 401K matching and your job is secure.
ReplyDeleteTo those let go today, God bless!
You will be missed.
Try to Boost morale because it really isn't there.
ReplyDeletePaint a pretty picture because it too shall melt.
Put yourself in your employees shoes and you will see that the shoe does not fit.
There will be problems--many
and it will suck.
Bloggers. Proceed with caution. The blog host is a certifiable FOB (as in BS) Anything unfavorable will be removed post haste.
ReplyDeleteHear the install of the new front end is not going so well in Louisville. Their newsroom system person left the building. What will happen at FT is anyone's guess. Believe Stover put JM in charge. Heaven help you guys who are left.
ReplyDeleteFLORIDA TODAY EMPLOYEES
ReplyDeleteTHAT ARE LEFT
PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
10:41 PM, explain please.
ReplyDelete@4:33pm- 7:02 again. Go to Patch.com and click on the state of choice (i.e, Florida) to see the current sites up and running. Pick any one of them and scroll all the way to the bottom where you will see a menu that say "Patch Info and listed under that it says "Jobs". I am freelancing on a regular basis for several sites in my area and am making enough money working a couple nites a week and on weekends to pay all my bills. I have a full-time job as well so that does limit my freelancing to the times mentioned, but if you have any talent, you can make as much money as you're willing to work for.
ReplyDeleteA someone who survived I sat good riddance to those who were canned. And those who declined the offer were downright stupid or cowardly. Every single person laid off was useless. Think about it. Did the weeklies sports guy or the parenting columnist bring anything of value to the table? And Urban Meyer's personal PR spokesman, aka the sports columnist, thought he was invincable. Now they all know otherwise. Fact -- those who made it through are capable and deserving while those who didn't survive were weak and not team players. I like our new configuration and this is a great group with wise leadership. Let the crybabies whine and collect unemployment, I have a job and can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get going now that the dead wood can fade into history.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad about anyone who still has to work with 12:33 am. I'm sure from that post- everyone can figure out who that person is (or just look for the tool with the rolled up sleeves). Good luck with THAT! What an arrogant ass.
ReplyDelete12:33, sure hope you are not proofing pages.
ReplyDelete12:33: You're a pompous ass who deserves what's coming to you. You have no idea what's going on in this company. You're not going to be happy when you find out. I am someone still working for Gannett who's jumping ship soon because I know what's coming. Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that 12:33 is the proofer. That's why they kept him. Proper grammar and spelling is not necessary anymore.
ReplyDeleteor would that be are not necessary anymore? Hahahaha 12:33, do you know?
ReplyDeleteI am 12:33 and I don't care what any of you say. It was them or me and by the time everybody arrives for their shifts today, those no longer employed here will be forgotten. I've seen the new design studio stuff and it's fantastic. Management picked wisely this time in getting rid of lazy people. Now let's get back to work.
ReplyDeleteAll: Had I seen 12:33's post sooner, I would have removed it for being cruel. But too many replies have now followed, so I'm reluctant to get heavy-handed in editing.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I would hope that people showed some grace during such an awful time for so many others.
Can we get an organizational chart before and after? No names necessary. Would like to see areas preserved and areas cut.
ReplyDelete12:33am, Wise leadership? You sure you work at FT?
ReplyDeleteSo,how many hardworking Gannetteers were let go ?
ReplyDeleteHopefully 12:33 will be the next.He must be some
arrogant,egotistical just out of college ,Gannett lover.
@12:33
ReplyDeleteYou should be ashamed! Many talented people were let go yesterday when Hurricane Gannett swept thru! If you actually do work at FT, I am ashamed to call you a co-worker. I hope your name gets put at the very top of the next cut list or maybe it already is.
Wow. 12:33 you are one soulless SOB. People are hurting are your glee at their discomfort is disgusting. Just remember that Karma's a bitch and Gannett is as soulless as you are. Next time you'll be the one on street. Expect no comfort for the people you trashed.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to those who lost their jobs at FT. The problem runs much deeper than job cuts. People have been leaving (or have been run off) for years now because of the person running the show. More talented, more useful people. He knows it, HR knows it. The cuts should have started at the top. No matter how great the new way will be (according to 12:33), the people happy in Melbourne are few and have been few for a VERY LONG time.
ReplyDelete12:05, are you talking about the publisher or the editor?
ReplyDelete12:33 is exactly theb mentality that Gannett embraces. Self-centered, callous and without a soul. I was fortunate to have received and accepted a job offer yesterday during the RIF, but can tell you some who did survive have expressed feelings privately somewhat like 12:33. I am sorry that so many fine journaists were laid off. Each person departing was a decent person and productive. Stover himself will tell you that. I believe that courtesy and respect should be given to those who were cut, it could have been me and probably will be me the next time this happens.
ReplyDeleteThings need to be done in order to keep a company alive, and unfortunately layoffs are, and will be one of the best ways to cut costs. While you may be blaming management and corporate associates, take into consideration the fact that they don't know that they have to do them. They didnt want this to happen, so don't blame management, corporate or anyone with Gannett. This is not their fault and most major companies are dealing with sinilar conditions due to a failing economy, not the folks at Gannett.
ReplyDeleteI am 5:17. Please disregard the second sentence. It should say that no one at Gannett wanted to do layoffs, but they had to be done.
ReplyDeleteAnd the last part of the last sentence should read ... Not just the folks at Gannett.
5:17PM, I agree with parts of your comment. That no one wanted layoffs and the management at the local level had no choice. I think the problem management is overlooking is that fact that those in the blasted crystal palace are still getting their fat ass bonuses and hiring more VPs. Granted, papers are not making as much income as in the past, but I dare you to say we are losing money. If you do, you are uninformed or being lied to.
ReplyDelete9:23, These top level executives have worked hard their entire lives to reach the positions they are in now, and that is the way corporate America operates. Executives run the ENTIRE company and are compensated for it. Regular employees (reporters/ copy editors) do not have those immense responsibilities, thus they aren't as heavily compensated. Some professions historically yield high salaries, such as business and management, while other careers, like common newspaper employees, have never been compensated as such. These VPs deserve their pay, thus layoffs are required.
ReplyDeleteCan't help but believe some of the last comments on this thread must be coming from management types looking to defuse or displace very justifiable anger at the way this downsizing was handled. People who have given their best to make FT successful deserved more consideration and certainly not the kind of abuse voiced in 12:33. Odds on that jerk is one of five BIG JERKS still currently employed. Follow the link below to an excellent essay on corporate management - very relevant in FT's newsroom. As a former employee I can only say thank god I am out before the ship sinks.
ReplyDeleteThe Gervais Principle, Or The Office According to “The Office” at:
http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-or-the-office-according-to-the-office/
4:54 here. I am not a corporate VP. I am just justifying the way the system works.
ReplyDeleteNot at all companies!
ReplyDelete6:41PM, Here's an example
ReplyDeleteNintendo, $85 billion market cap company, CEO makes $1.7 million per year including bonuses. Nintendo is having a bad year due to 3DS not selling. CEO takes 50% pay cut.
Gannett, $2.5 billion market cap, CEO made $9.4 million and takes no personal responsibility. Most likely, knowing our board of directors, will get a larger bonus this year for making "the tough choices".
4:54 The executives that run the "ENTIRE" company aren't interested in putting out a quality product anymore and the consumer knows it. The execs make their bonuses and show they are making profits for the company in the short run. The decisions they are making are not good for the company in the long run. High level execs don't stay long term for that reason. By then they have made their bonuses and moved on to the next company.
ReplyDeleteAre you looking for long term growth of the company or short term profits for the stockholders? Any of this remind you of what happened in the banking industry and wall street?
I also take offense at the use of "common newspaper employees". We are also hard working individuals that have contributed to the success of the company over the years. We have each contributed to the product that we sell and have taken great pride in what we do. Do I expect to make what the executives make? No. But I don't expect them to make a bonus for decimating the company.
If you talk to anyone on the streets they say our product isn't what it used to be and that they aren't buying the paper. They don't know or care about the internal Gannett problems. They just know that the paper is smaller, the cost of advertising has not changed but distribution has gone down and the cost of the paper has gone up.
At the local level in Brevard none of the management has been eliminated. Why is that? How many managers do you need per employee? 1:2 ratio?
12:33 THANKS FOR THE LAUGH!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am lucky to be leaving. You on the other hand have some mentality issues. Your behavior is sad. People that act like that are usually very lonely. So to you my friend, you can be sure your bitterness and anger will get the best of you.
So go roll your sleeves up - the shit will be deep.
Those of us that are left!!!! We are stepping lightly on them Eggshells.
ReplyDelete