Layoffs Hit USA Today, Paper Seeks Volunteers

Memo sent to USA Today staffers on Nov. 23

To: The newsroom staff
From: Ken Paulson and John Hillkirk

The current economic crisis has taken its toll on businesses nationwide, including USA TODAY. This will mean a cut in our 2009 budget, including the elimination of about 20 positions in early December.

We wish this wasn't necessary, but we're facing unprecedented economic challenges and we have to cut spending.

We'll have our regular monthly staff meeting Monday at 5 p.m. EST and will discuss this development and answer any questions you may have, but here are the basics: Those whose jobs are eliminated will receive severance consisting of 1 week of pay for each completed year of service, with a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 26 weeks of severance.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[typhoon1999]

Nobody is being asked to work for free.

These misleading headlines are starting to get old. It seems they are asking for volunteers to take the severance money and take voluntary lay-off. It is done all the time, like early retirement packages. My company offered the same thing.

I appreciate facts, not tabloid headlines.

[oldedinthailand]

Since when has Gannet been a news organization.

[honeydiva]

It's a shame that people are losing their jobs and to add insult to injury the want folks to work for free. I don't get those that give freebees to news sources while they make millions off of them. I wish i would watch another millionare get rich off of my hard work. hint hint.

[honeydiva]

"millionaire get richer"

[toocoldout]

It's been an extremely tough couple years for all of the traditional media. The world is changing. It always does.

[AnnieZ]

Check out a red, red state paper. The Daily Oklahoman has had layoffs lately as well. Let's hope that they continue. Go to www.newsok and read the editorials and the comments, you won't believe that people like this really exist!