"Right now there are no plans to lay people off"

by: Jason Springer

Wed Jan 13, 2010 at 10:30:00 AM EST

It's not exactly the most reassuring time to be an employee at the Star Ledger. According to the Editor & Publisher in Exile blog, the paper had said they would lift a long-held "no-layoffs" pledge for non-union employees and on February 5, that change will become permanent:

A memo to staffers Monday from Publisher Richard Vezza, who took over at the beginning of 2010, states that the pledge would be lifted as of that date. Former Publisher George Arwady, who left in December to take the publisher post at The Republican in Springfield, Mass., announced last August that the pledge would be lifted.
"They had announced it to give everyone time to be aware of it," Vezza said. "Nothing is going to happen at the Ledger on Feb. 5." But Vezza did not rule out further job cuts later in the year: "I don't know, I have been there a week and I have to go in and get a look at the budget, and do my own budget. But right now there are no plans to lay people off."

They've already had furloughs and buyouts that we have talked about on Blue Jersey even cutting 40% of the newsroom. I'll put the full memo to employees below the fold. You just keep wondering who will be left to cover the news when all the cuts and changes are done in the future, even if they don't have further plans for right now.

Jason Springer :: "Right now there are no plans to lay people off"

Dear Star-Ledger Employee:

All of us are hoping 2010 will bring us financial stability as the economy hopefully turns around. We wanted to remind you of the announcement that was made in August 2009 that, as of February 5, 2010, the job security pledge will no longer be in effect. Accordingly, the job security pledge has been removed and replaced with the following confirmation that you are employed on an "at-will" basis after February 5, 2010:

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The Star-Ledger reserves the right and discretion to modify, improve, or eliminate any benefit, compensation plan, practice or policy with appropriate notice. Employment with The Star-Ledger is not for any definite period of time. Rather, you or The Star-Ledger may end the employment relationship at any time.

The employee handbook is being revised to include the new "at-will" policy. If you have any questions, please contact Ramona Barnes at 973-392-xxxx.

Thank you.

Richard Vezza

Publisher