Comments on: Why Buyouts Suck http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/ Chronicling the Decline of Newspapers and the Rebirth of Journalism Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:53:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Robert Hodierne http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2644 Robert Hodierne Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:05:38 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2644 I'm a journalism professor at the University of Richmond. I've been commissioned by American Journalism Review to survey folks who left the newspaper business under circumstances other than voluntary -- laid off, bought out, etc. I'm spreading the word about this survey in every way I can and if you guys could help me spread the word I'd be grateful. The link to the survey is on AJR's homepage: www.ajr.org. If you've got any questions about this, feel free to contact me. Thanks. Robert Hodierne robert@hodierne.com 804-484-4759 I’m a journalism professor at the University of Richmond. I’ve been commissioned by American Journalism Review to survey folks who left the newspaper business under circumstances other than voluntary — laid off, bought out, etc. I’m spreading the word about this survey in every way I can and if you guys could help me spread the word I’d be grateful. The link to the survey is on AJR’s homepage: http://www.ajr.org.

If you’ve got any questions about this, feel free to contact me.

Thanks.

Robert Hodierne
robert@hodierne.com
804-484-4759

]]> By: Ira Blog » Blog Archive » Newspapers Death Watch http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2412 Ira Blog » Blog Archive » Newspapers Death Watch Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:05:21 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2412 [...] Jason: My friend, Bonnie, just forwarded me an article from this blog. Considering the recent economic crisis and the local issues w/ Michigan newspapers is seems like a really interesting blog especially this entry. [...] [...] Jason: My friend, Bonnie, just forwarded me an article from this blog. Considering the recent economic crisis and the local issues w/ Michigan newspapers is seems like a really interesting blog especially this entry. [...]

]]> By: Ira Blog » Blog Archive » Newspaper Death Watch blog http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2411 Ira Blog » Blog Archive » Newspaper Death Watch blog Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:00:44 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2411 [...] Jason: My friend, Bonnie, just forwarded me an article from this blog. Considering the recent economic crisis and the local issues w/ Michigan newspapers is seems like a really interesting blog especially this entry. [...] [...] Jason: My friend, Bonnie, just forwarded me an article from this blog. Considering the recent economic crisis and the local issues w/ Michigan newspapers is seems like a really interesting blog especially this entry. [...]

]]> By: Newspaper Fan http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2208 Newspaper Fan Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:03:48 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2208 One of the biggest problems with the older workers is they complain too much when asked to do a little more. It's not like most can't learn the new layout/design systems, they just chose not to because they think they are above it. It's really that simple. The basic idea is "i've been doing this for 20 years and should not have to do anything different." Unfortunately, many get away with this nonsense because the bosses are the same guys on the desk with them 10 years earlier. One of the biggest problems with the older workers is they complain too much when asked to do a little more. It’s not like most can’t learn the new layout/design systems, they just chose not to because they think they are above it. It’s really that simple. The basic idea is “i’ve been doing this for 20 years and should not have to do anything different.” Unfortunately, many get away with this nonsense because the bosses are the same guys on the desk with them 10 years earlier.

]]> By: Paul Gillin http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2197 Paul Gillin Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:10:07 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2197 I think early retirement programs, like the one just announced at The Oklahoman, are good for that very reason. I haven't seen any reliable statistics, but my experience is that people who take buyouts tend to be the ones who think they can easily get another job. The problem you refer to is very real: overpaid people with outmoded skills sitting around drawing a paycheck are a burden on the organization. It's in the company's best interest to move them out. For all its pain and suffering, a layoff is the most efficient way to do that. I think early retirement programs, like the one just announced at The Oklahoman, are good for that very reason. I haven’t seen any reliable statistics, but my experience is that people who take buyouts tend to be the ones who think they can easily get another job. The problem you refer to is very real: overpaid people with outmoded skills sitting around drawing a paycheck are a burden on the organization. It’s in the company’s best interest to move them out. For all its pain and suffering, a layoff is the most efficient way to do that.

]]> By: Newspaper Fan http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2196 Newspaper Fan Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:44:39 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2196 I think you're off-base on buyouts hurting newspapers. Many of the over 50-crowd are protected in the good-ol-boys networks by their bosses, and many do nothing except cash a paycheck. Many haven't updated their skills because the younger workers carry most of the workload while the older workers are protected. I'd say 80 percent of buyout takers won't be missed. They are old-school complainers who think they are owed a living. I've worked at five newspapers in my 20 years and see the same workforce at every single one. There are many exceptions to this rule, older workers who are valuable and want to work. But they are in the minority, believe me. Many are lucky they get anything before getting kicked out. They should have been kicked out 10 years ago, or made to do the same workload as others. I think you’re off-base on buyouts hurting newspapers. Many of the over 50-crowd are protected in the good-ol-boys networks by their bosses, and many do nothing except cash a paycheck. Many haven’t updated their skills because the younger workers carry most of the workload while the older workers are protected. I’d say 80 percent of buyout takers won’t be missed. They are old-school complainers who think they are owed a living. I’ve worked at five newspapers in my 20 years and see the same workforce at every single one. There are many exceptions to this rule, older workers who are valuable and want to work. But they are in the minority, believe me. Many are lucky they get anything before getting kicked out. They should have been kicked out 10 years ago, or made to do the same workload as others.

]]> By: paulgillin http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2192 paulgillin Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:48:35 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2192 Can't argue with you that management should take its share of the pain. However, rewarding your best people is good management practice, no matter how dire the circumstances. Not everyone sees themselves as stranded. It's also possible to view downsizing as a chance to move ahead quickly and learn a lot of new and marketable stuff. Managers can't stop people from leaving, but they can stop rewarding them for doing so. Can’t argue with you that management should take its share of the pain. However, rewarding your best people is good management practice, no matter how dire the circumstances. Not everyone sees themselves as stranded. It’s also possible to view downsizing as a chance to move ahead quickly and learn a lot of new and marketable stuff. Managers can’t stop people from leaving, but they can stop rewarding them for doing so.

]]> By: Eric http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2185 Eric Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:24:30 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2185 Favoring layoffs over buyouts make sense in theory, but with the newspaper industry in the state it's in, what ambitious, effective employee isn't going to be looking for other opportunities anyway? You say that good companies reward their best employees even during downturns, but there's absolutely no reward to getting stranded and having to watch as management (or ownership) drains the lifeblood out of the enterprise you've devoted yourself to. Buyouts suck for management, sure, but management is often what got us into this fix in the first place. Maybe they're the ones who deserve layoffs. Favoring layoffs over buyouts make sense in theory, but with the newspaper industry in the state it’s in, what ambitious, effective employee isn’t going to be looking for other opportunities anyway?

You say that good companies reward their best employees even during downturns, but there’s absolutely no reward to getting stranded and having to watch as management (or ownership) drains the lifeblood out of the enterprise you’ve devoted yourself to. Buyouts suck for management, sure, but management is often what got us into this fix in the first place. Maybe they’re the ones who deserve layoffs.

]]> By: Talkin’ bout my journalism generation « Ink-Drained Kvetch http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/2008/09/04/why-buyouts-suck/comment-page-1/#comment-2182 Talkin’ bout my journalism generation « Ink-Drained Kvetch Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:16:30 +0000 http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/?p=320#comment-2182 [...] this blog, but this post from Paul Gillin on Newspaper Death Watch doesn’t mince any words: “Why Buyouts Suck.” For [...] [...] this blog, but this post from Paul Gillin on Newspaper Death Watch doesn’t mince any words: “Why Buyouts Suck.” For [...]

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