gannett plans to layoff 3,000 by december.

Thanks JD. I hope things are well with you and your hunt.

 

When rumors of the last layoff started, I thought it would be better to be laid off than to keep worrying about getting laid off. Not so.

 

Someone named you well, Mr. Dickey.

Translation: Thank you for being the sacrificial lambs, so I can make my Cadillac payments and keep my beach home.

Translation: We didn't cut enough people on the last go-round. So just be thankful you were chosen to slave away for a couple of months longer than some of your peers.

Translation: We are picking and chosing whose head to chop based on how much money it will save us. We really don't give a damn how long you have worked here, how many awards you have won or if you have a spouse and/or kids to support.

There will not be any furloughs the rest of the year because the staff is now so small that to even skip a day would force managers to assume the role of subordinates and, you know, actually do some real work. In lieu of furloughs, we are considering 6 and 7-day workweeks for all employees.

Translation: You can stop by the break room for punch and cookies on your way out the door. See HR for instructions on how to file for unemployment.

Translation: Our product has gone so far in the shitter that no one in the community sees us as a viable advertising medium any longer. We need to get more lipstick to slap on this pig.

Translation: I'll be damned if I'm the one to take a paycut or suffer a smaller profit margin than three years ago.

Translation: We don't suck as bad as some places out there. We are holding our profit margins steady because we don't hesitate to whack payroll at the first sign of a downturn.

Translation: You suckers really are smarter than us management types and have some good ideas. So funnel those to me and I'll take the credit.

Dear Mr. Dickey:

Go fuck yourself, you arrogant pile of shit.

Sincerely,

The newsroom staff

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Mark2010 knows how to cut through the shit.

Good job.

 

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Nicely done, except for one thing. It's Information Center staff, not newsroom staff, remember?

 

I try not to worry about layoffs.

Sometimes, I do.

But I've reacted to this mess in the following ways:

1. I'm churning out as many stories, videos and blogs as possible. Then, if they tap me on the shoulder, I can honestly say, well, shit, I did the best I could.
2. I'm corresponding and networking with my friends both inside and outside the industry on a daily basis.
3. Trying to be a newsroom leader

And that is all you can do. Worrying every day is stupid and a waste of time, although I certainly understand why people do.

 

Sign up right here, CEO sheep.
Follow the Gannett plan of YOUR PERSONAL self-preservation.

1)

 

Anyone ever heard of the serenity prayer?

It goes: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

I've lived through an extended period of dealing with things (mostly negative) that I, personally, cannot change. The stress and worry will eat you alive if you allow it to.

 

There's a big difference between planning for and worrying about the future. Planning shows you're aware of a possible problem and have prepared an exit strategy. Worrying does nothing but eat up time and energy.

Hang in there, Stagger and other Gannett workers. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

 

Right now I'm doing a bit of both. I'm worried, but I'd like to think I have an exit strategy in place. What's kinda crazy is, a huge part of me thinks I should use my exit strategy, regardless of the outcome of the coming weeks.
Good luck people.

 

Whatever Gannett's beancounters put into the lives of those they employ, may it come back to them 10 fold.

 

I can honestly say after the initial shock wore off for me, there was a certain peace that came over me.
And I'd say aside from about the 1 percent of the time I still kind of panic over what the heck I'm going to do with my life, I couldn't be happier I got the boot from Gary Pruitt and the boys.

That being said, it's easier to say that now after it's all going down rather than having to speculate.