No one wants to experience a layoff but in some ways the fear of losing your job can be just as bad. When you think that you might be laid off you do not know exactly what to do. Should you start looking for a new job, should you work extra long and hard to try and prove to your boss that you are worth keeping on or should you try to glean whether or not your job is in danger by the way that the higher ups are acting towards you?

It is confusing at best and today it is happening to the staff in some of The New York Times Company newsrooms, as they are getting ready to find out if they get to keep their jobs. The parent company for The New York Times is finalizing the sales of its Regional Media Group to Halifax Media Holdings this week and that means that there are some very high chances of staff layoffs.

How bad is it? Well The Atlantic Wire was nice enough to post a copy of a leaked memo to Jim Romenesko, in which the management of the Times Company
explained to its regional employees what is going to happen in the near future. Some of the information from that memo includes the following question and answer section:

“3. How many employees will be retained by Halifax?

That decision will be made by Halifax, but they have committed to making offers of employment to the vast majority of employees. You will be notified within the next 48 hours whether the buyer will be offering you employment.

4. What is the process for determining who will be hired?

Halifax has decided who it will hire. Again, you will be notified within the next 48 hours whether the buyer will be offering you employment. The New York Times Company has not been involved in that decision.

5. Will all employees be given their same jobs?

That decision will be made by Halifax, but the requirement is that the job be comparable.”

Sadly a lot of this information will not help employees to plan. You may get an offer for comparable position or you may end up with a compensation package.

While the company is trying its best to keep a neutral tone with its workers the memo’s second paragraph (before the Q&A) reads, “You and your family members may also contact the Company’s Work/Life Assistance Program through Corporate Counseling Associates by calling (800) 833-8707, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and speak with a professional counselor confidentially.” That is almost never an encouraging sign.

Workers will begin finding out who keeps their job as early as today.

The company does not seem to be giving any preferential treatment to workers who are let go, and wish to rejoin the New York Times Family, as per question 9.

“9. Will employees who do not become employees of Halifax Media Holdings be eligible for other jobs at The New York Times Company?

You are free to apply for any open positions with The New York Times Company, but overall the Company has reduced its staffing. Please note that if Halifax Media Holdings offers any benefits-eligible employee a comparable job by the closing of the sale and you reject it, you will not be eligible for severance.”