The Wall Street Journal
Gannett Co. said some workers would be required to take a one-week unpaid furlough during the first quarter despite some improvement in ad sales.
During 2009, Gannett required employees to take one-week furloughs in the first and second quarters. Many companies have used such short-term hiatuses as a humane alternative to permanent job cuts.
The latest furloughs were announced in a memo signed by Bob Dickey, president of Gannett’s U.S. Community Publishing, formerly known as the Newspaper Division, and published on the Poynter Institute’s Web site Tuesday.
Mr. Dickey, noting that the first quarter is traditionally the lightest time of the year for the company, said nonunion employees in his division will be furloughed for five business days during the quarter.
“We will be communicating separately with union representatives and asking for their support of the furloughs,” he said More…