Ringier: Integrated newsroom leads to 25 layoffs
In mid-January, Ringier announced that job cuts would be made at the Blick Group in connection with the establishment of an integrated newsroom, which is set to begin operations in the second week of March. Following consultative negotiations with the employee representative committee, the workforce planning process has now been finalized. There will be 25 layoffs.
In total, the project will lead to the discontinuation of around 22 full-time employee positions. The reduction of 29 full-time positions was announced. Around two-thirds will be in production, while one-third of the job cuts will affect the writing departments. A total of 25 redundancies will have to be made, Ringier announced on Tuesday. In addition, the mandate relationship with two freelancers will be terminated and there will be three early retirements.
A social plan with additional benefits negotiated with Ringier's personnel committee in May 2009 will apply to all affected employees, according to the statement. The plan provides for the contractual notice period to be extended by one to three months, depending on the employee's age. In addition, Ringier will pay a severance payment based on years of service. In the case of terminations in connection with the establishment of the Integrated Newsroom, the company would make compensation payments up to the amount of the current salary for a maximum of another six months after the expiration of the extended notice period in the event of unemployment or taking up a new position with a lower salary. In addition, employees affected by a termination would be offered external assessments and individual coaching.
A social plan with additional benefits negotiated with Ringier's personnel committee in May 2009 will apply to all affected employees, according to the statement. The plan provides for the contractual notice period to be extended by one to three months, depending on the employee's age. In addition, Ringier will pay a severance payment based on years of service. In the case of terminations in connection with the establishment of the Integrated Newsroom, the company would make compensation payments up to the amount of the current salary for a maximum of another six months after the expiration of the extended notice period in the event of unemployment or taking up a new position with a lower salary. In addition, employees affected by a termination would be offered external assessments and individual coaching.
