Somewhat unhappy about this

[jon@af]

I have been at my current job for almost a month (will have been there a month in 4 days) and I was having a good day until this evening.

The scoop:

I'm the editor of a weekly community newspaper owned by a larger daily newspaper in my area. My newspaper is roughly 1500 subscribers in size and 2500-3000 total printed copies a week. General size is 16-20 pages, of which, most of the content comes from myself, 3 or so correspondents and my assistant editor.

Being as I am new, I've been experiencing a bit of a learning curve - which I expected - that has been slowly improving over the last three weeks. I'm generally responsible in a 5 day period of work for about 5-7 stories, probably 15 pictures and about 40 hours of editing/layout time (I work 60-65 hour weeks). I layout the majority of the pages, which is usually between between 10 and 12, depending on the size of the issue.

The problem:

I was informed tonight (as I was finishing up one of the 5 pages I have to finish by 8 a.m.) by my boss that my assistant editor will be fired in two weeks. This person has been on the job for the last four years and has been of great service to me since I took over the editor's role. Said person usually lays out 4 pages per issue and writes an average of 3 stories per week that are generally 2000 words in length (great feature writer).

So, not only am I STILL getting used to this system, but now I'm going to have my best source of assistance right now (save for my boss, but he works out of town and I try not to be a bother in that respect) let go and not replaced.

*sigh*

Oh, and did I mention that said person is one of only 5 people TOTAL that comprise my actual working office? Can you say strained relationships?

I really hope this doesn't kill my buzz I've had for the last month of finally having a job doing something that I enjoy.

[Scrapper]

dang dood i dono? i see no one else answer but all i can say hold on to that BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

[72chevelleOhio]

Originally Posted by J_Swigz

but now I'm going to have my best source of assistance right now (save for my boss, but he works out of town and I try not to be a bother in that respect) let go and not replaced.

Does this mean they will expect you to do your work and cover what he did as well? Downsizing? Possibly shutting down the operation all together?

The shop I currently work in has a lot of people that expect you to do your job and their job as well. Not fun. I am angry at work most of the time. Its sad because I like my job, just don't like doing everyone elses job too. I hate to screw the customer over, but I get tired of babysitting....

That being said, I always relax by getting drunk and posting stupid stuff on AF.. ...(which BTW is why some of my posts are serious, others are just weird.. )

[Scrapper]

calm down.....i have 3 garages and i got to make sure everything gets done i have 2 about 3 blocks from me and 1 about 5 miles i have to make sure it gets done and gets done right. i've got 4 guys i've had for fore some time now just hired 2 more about a month ago and they seem to be doing ok but they can do better there just young 25 and 27 i walk in and any body just standing around well they get to go home early.what i'm trying to say is tell them don't just stand there. when there job don't get done and ask you why say there fing lazy. now go drink a bear like i am.

[Scrapper]

calm down.....i have 3 garages and i got to make sure everything gets done i have 2 about 3 blocks from me and 1 about 5 miles i have to make sure it gets done and gets done right. i've got 4 guys i've had for fore some time now just hired 2 more about a month ago and they seem to be doing ok but they can do better there just young 25 and 27 i walk in and any body just standing around well they get to go home early.what i'm trying to say is tell them don't just stand there. when there job don't get done and ask you why say there fing lazy. now go drink a bear like i am.

[MagicRat]

IMHO tell your boss about the situation. Inform him or her that the end product will suffer without the is person's experience and input.
You are not being rebellious and disloyal be doing so, but you are stating the truth to him. A good boss should welcome such input because it will allow them to make a more informed decision.

[Oz]

SWOT Business Analysis - Threat..........



Or Opportunity ??

[Gohan Ryu]

I hate to use a cliche but unemployment is at an all time high. So far this year the US economy has lost over 1 million jobs. The businesses that didn't start cutting expenses several months back are now in trouble. Where I work the axe has dropped perilously close a few times, now some co-workers are umemployed and their prospects aren't looking too good.
My buzz was killed a few months ago, but for now I can be grateful for being employed. I hope Barack has a few miracles up his sleeve.

[carl63_99]

First off, WTF is the boss doing even telling someone about this before the axe falls? This is something they shouldn't be discussing with you or anyone else. I'd almost wonder if this "boss" of yours is even on the level, maybe trying to play people off against one another.

If it is a firing, where the person was at fault, ie imcompetent, then you should have seen it coming. If it's a downsizing, then yea, you're going to have to pull their weight after they go. Either get ready to work longer hours, or look for something else.

I think you should confront boss-man and tell him what the assistant does and how much it's going to hurt the business. if he moves forward with it, then it's his problem. I would also refuse to be the one doing the canning, because you don't support the decision; although that may get you fired too.

[jon@af]

Originally Posted by carl63_99

First off, WTF is the boss doing even telling someone about this before the axe falls? This is something they shouldn't be discussing with you or anyone else. I'd almost wonder if this "boss" of yours is even on the level, maybe trying to play people off against one another.

If it is a firing, where the person was at fault, ie imcompetent, then you should have seen it coming. If it's a downsizing, then yea, you're going to have to pull their weight after they go. Either get ready to work longer hours, or look for something else.

I think you should confront boss-man and tell him what the assistant does and how much it's going to hurt the business. if he moves forward with it, then it's his problem. I would also refuse to be the one doing the canning, because you don't support the decision; although that may get you fired too.

The way it works is, I am the boss of my respective location and he is the general manager of all the locations (the community newspaper family, if you will), so as an upper management person, he is on the level. Also, I am at least grateful that I have been informed that I'll be losing someone on my staff before it actually happens.

Yeah, I know it's a cutback because of money issues with the company and apparently they've been looking at doing this for a while now, but it just kinda sucks. I'm sure I'll be able to deal with it a lot better as my time here increases, it just isn't a convenient time for me right now.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by Gohan Ryu

I hate to use a cliche but unemployment is at an all time high. So far this year the US economy has lost over 1 million jobs.

That's just the bad news, the good news is Bush's name will be added to the list soon.

[zzyzzx2]

Originally Posted by Gohan Ryu

I hate to use a cliche but unemployment is at an all time high.

The unemployment rate was much higher in the 70's and 80's.

[Gohan Ryu]

Originally Posted by zzyzzx2

The unemployment rate was much higher in the 70's and 80's.

Thanks for solving our problem. We can all go back to work now, zzyzzx has fixed the economy.

[mikenam69]

Ah man that sucks! Doesn't do any good for the feeling of job security either... but just hang in there and at least continue enjoying it - who knows maybe it'll all work out for the best.