Monday, October 19, 2009

Charlotte Observer offers voluntary buyouts

The Charlotte Observer is offering buyouts to employees.

The Charlotte Observer today announced it is offering a voluntary buyout program to many of its employees, including most of the newsroom.


"The economy has been extremely sluggish," Ann Caulkins, the Observer's publisher, said in a meeting with the newsroom. "We haven't seen any sort of bottom."


Caulkins said the buyout program is voluntary and does not include plans for involuntary separations any time this year.


Caulkins said she expects only 'a small percentage' of employees will elect to take the buyout.


The Observer's corporate parent, McClatchy Co., reported last week that its main source of revenue -- advertising sales -- is still unraveling at an alarming rate, even as the annual comparisons are getting easier.


I was hearing layoff rumors a couple of weeks ago.

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24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Buckle up buckeroos - here we go again. And happy holidays to ya'll.

Anonymous said...

The comments under the actual story are outstanding.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/1009026.html

Anonymous said...

Is it time to start singing, “Roll out the barrel”

Anonymous said...

Actually start singing, "Bend Over The Barrel and Squeal Like a Pig."

Anonymous said...

This is only the beginning but most of us won't get buyouts, it will be layoffs.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, those liars they call management are only coasting to retirement. Nobody here cares if you work hard or do a good job. They will lie to your face and stab you in the back. Can't wait to see how the losers that are left behind try to do some actual work. It's pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:04 ROFLMAO

Anonymous said...

McCrappy is so bloated with incompetent managers, why doesn't it do a colon cleanse and purge these disgusting turds? What kind of successful company allows talent to flee, yet protects the dirtballs who couldn't manage a Burger King?
Look around you McCrappyites, the suckup dumbass manager in his/her office will still be picking their ass when you're on the street and out of a job.

Anonymous said...

so we all know that we will be laid off if no one takes the buyout and i am sure we need at least 30 people to take the darn thing in order for it to be enought cash to make a difference. Jason Silverstein pleeeeez come back and make us some money..these lame left over leaders have no clue. the good ole boy business thing doesn't work anymore. we should list the people we want to go and take a vote, any takers.
Why do we need so many managers in advertising if we aren't making any money? The Observer's corporate parent, McClatchy Co., reported last week that its main source of revenue -- advertising sales -- is still unraveling at an alarming rate. So we got L.I, D.G, A.G.,J.M., C.C,D.F., R.S, A.C.- that's 8 and still counting. How much $$ is that?

Anonymous said...

@1:29 -coasting, that's a joke. My manager is on vacation for 3 weeks and he is a department head. Must be nice to be in the elite group. This company turns my stomach and it is a shame that no one has any integrity. I can't wait to give me notice.

Anonymous said...

Happy Holidays, the executive group will have a great holiday season, they will all still be employed with the same great salaries. Don't forget to send them all holiday cards showing your gratitude.

Anonymous said...

It's going DOWN, DOWN, DOWN. let's see how many people try and hang on..LMAO. What else would they do?

Anonymous said...

if we don't get the buyouts..what is the lay off package. can we please get the information soon. thank you

Anonymous said...

well it's about time we are cutting the newsroom, 400 people later.

Anonymous said...

1:49: That's funny and so true.

Anonymous said...

i didn't get a buyout letter, what does that mean

Anonymous said...

2:21: That means you're too valuable to allow to walk. It also means you get to work four beats and 16-hour days to make up for those leaving with fat buyouts.

Anonymous said...

THE PACKAGE

Except for some bloated union types (maybe only at the SacBee?) the severance is 2 weeks per year of service for FT, 1 week for PT, capped at 26 weeks and 13 weeks, respectively.

Either buyout or layoff, you get the COBRA stimulous subsidy.

Anonymous said...

well if you are keeping up with the buyouts they happen about every3-4 months..so we are right on track from the last round in april

Anonymous said...

@2:44..that was an old version of the package ..no more 26 week cap it's been reduced

Anonymous said...

@2:04
Yeah, that buffoon running circulation is hardly even around anymore. Guess his track record of being such a lousy manager is finally catching up with him. Anybody remember the golden boys he brought in and how useless they were? Now he just hides from customers in his office. What a freakin joke.

Gladimgone said...

I was fortunate enough to secure a buyout last year and find another job faily quickly. Looks like things haven't improved much at the Big O. For all my friends still there, I wish you luck. As for me, I'm glad I don't work in that pressure cooker anymore.

Anonymous said...

i was laid off but i too am glad to be away from that place, it is a sad place to work and i really feel bad for some of my friends who still have to work there.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the top-heavy management structure will be left intact, as always.