Today, we came into WaPo’s so-called town hall with questions about recent layoffs and the future of the company.
Our publisher dropped a bombshell on us by announcing more layoffs and then walking out, refusing to answer any of our questions.
Our publisher dropped a bombshell on us by announcing more layoffs and then walking out, refusing to answer any of our questions.
At the end of the event, publisher Fred Ryan announced a “single-digit decrease” in the workforce in Q1 of 2023.
In the same breath, Ryan said The Post will continue to grow. He didn’t say whether those laid off would be offered the chance to be rehired or reassigned.
In the same breath, Ryan said The Post will continue to grow. He didn’t say whether those laid off would be offered the chance to be rehired or reassigned.
Appalled, our colleagues called out questions, at which point the company cut the livestream for those not in the room.
Ryan rebuffed our questions and stormed out of the town hall, leaving everyone stunned.
Ryan rebuffed our questions and stormed out of the town hall, leaving everyone stunned.
https://twitter.com/anniegowen/status/1603071294316199937?s=20&t=uJL0gDe7z2wc13WtFHoBaA
Employees are outraged at the idea of layoffs during a time of supposed growth at a formidable news empire.
It’s no reassurance to dedicated workers who have given years of service to this company that The Post will continue to hire new people even as they lose their jobs.
It’s no reassurance to dedicated workers who have given years of service to this company that The Post will continue to hire new people even as they lose their jobs.
At a town hall in September, Ryan said the Post has “enormous financial capacity” and “could weather any economic downturn.”
That’s not what we heard today. We were told the advertising sector was already in recession and cuts were necessary.
That’s not what we heard today. We were told the advertising sector was already in recession and cuts were necessary.
So what’s the truth?
Why can’t our publisher give us the transparency we hold as the central tenet of this news organization?
How can he turn his back on workers with urgent questions and valid concerns?
Why can’t our publisher give us the transparency we hold as the central tenet of this news organization?
How can he turn his back on workers with urgent questions and valid concerns?
Our 600+ members won’t let him.
Washington Post employees — people with world-class experience, institutional knowledge and unique skills that can’t be easily replaced — must be part of any transformation to this company. Stay tuned.
Washington Post employees — people with world-class experience, institutional knowledge and unique skills that can’t be easily replaced — must be part of any transformation to this company. Stay tuned.
This should read "single-digit *percentage decrease".
Excuse the error, folks. It's been a long day.
Excuse the error, folks. It's been a long day.
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