Friday, April 4, 2008
Lay People Off or Quit?
Q. I appreciate your column. I wrote to you last year asking about moving when I finished my master's.
I am almost there. I'm to the point where I am writing my thesis. I have managed to keep working as the managing editor of a 5,000-circulation newspaper for more than two years while working on this degree despite the shrinking resources. My previous employment has been at large newspapers, and I expect my employees to give me their best. I set goals with them and hold them accountable.
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Considering our size, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a better newspaper. It's a much better paper than when I arrived.
My publisher just came to me telling me that because of failing ad revenues we have to cut more people. I have repeatedly told him I think this is a bad idea and that it will further harm the paper. But the money isn't there and something has to go.
At this point I'm wondering if it's me that has to go. If I cut more people, I have to decide whether I accept a more shabby product or if I make up for the lack by doing more on my own. If the quality slips I'm not sure I want to put this newspaper on my resume.
My first priority right now is finishing my thesis. If I work longer hours (I'm already working 10-12 each day) I won't have time to finish my thesis before my deadline of one month.
I am planning to start an intensive job hunt as soon as I finish my schoolwork. The other option would be to resign since I'm not willing to cut anyone else from an already bare-bones staff. Doing so would give me the time I need to finish my thesis. But I'm afraid in today's job market it may be foolish. I am the sole breadwinner in my large family.
Between a Thesis and a Hard PlaceA. You are, indeed, stuck. You do not have a painless option.
But you did not create this situation, so let's make a decision without taking on a load of guilt.
Let me try to rank the importance of the objectives, as you described them:
- Write this thesis.
- Maintain the only paycheck in my large family.
- Get a better job.
- Preserve other people's jobs.
- Maintain the quality of the paper.
The only goals you can achieve are at the top of the list. Ultimately, staff layoffs, paper quality and that new job are not up to you.
So, hold your hours steady to get that thesis done and hold onto that job until you get a new one. It is hard -- very -- to lay people off, but the publisher has decided that this is going to happen, period. Making yourself a sacrificial lamb might save another person's job but it likely will be worse for the paper. Hang in there as long as you can.
It's a terrible choice, to lay people off or to leave yourself. What do you think you would do?
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Coming Monday: She has been successful at a 3,500-circulation weekly and has an offer from a 6,000-circulation daily, but wonders if she should look for something bigger.
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