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The Sackings At 1100 Broadway

By Kleinheider Posted on July 9, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Tom Wood has got your scoop:

Like those separated from the company in earlier layoffs, these staffers will get one week of severance pay for each year of employment. However, they will no longer be covered by health insurance throughout their severance pay period. Instead, all will lose coverage at the end of this month.

The process of informing those affected has reportedly taken longer today than it did when a larger workforce reduction took place last December. One source noted that rules require a representative from the human resource department to be present when each employee is notified – and that after previous job cuts, there are now fewer HR people to handle the task.

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Comments

8 Responses to “The Sackings At 1100 Broadway”

  1. Andy Axel writes
    July 9th, 2009 3:50 pm

    Only 3 weeks of COBRA, regardless of length of service? Christ. Gannett keeps getting cheaper & cheaper.

  2. Emmett Flatus writes
    July 9th, 2009 4:07 pm

    Study up on COBRA rules, Andy. The terminees will get their current insurance paid until August then can sign up for COBRA (continuing their current level of coverage but paying the full premium) for up to 18 months.

    I’m not buying the article for $7.50. Better spent on beer.

  3. Clayton Farlow writes
    July 9th, 2009 4:19 pm

    It’s not just a matter of understanding the rules, Emmett, it’s pretty obvious Andy doesn’t even have the first clue how COBRA works. Yet, I’m sure he’s quick to lecture on why we need Obamacare.

  4. Bill Hobbs writes
    July 9th, 2009 4:32 pm

    COBRA is there for 18 months at full price. The stimulus package included money to subsidize premiums for up to nine months - if you are eligible for that program, the fedgov will cover 65 percent of the COBRA premium for up to nine months. Forms are simple - those employees will get them from the insurance carrier or maybe the HR department when they get the form via which they must sign up for continued coverage under COBRA.

  5. Nash writes
    July 9th, 2009 4:49 pm

    Bill Hobbs praising a program from the stimulus package – I like it!

  6. Kat Coble writes
    July 9th, 2009 6:11 pm

    Was he praising it or merely explaining it?

  7. Andy Axel writes
    July 9th, 2009 7:04 pm

    Excuse me - 3 weeks of employer-funded COBRA.

    As a former WCOM employee, I’m quite familiar with how it works.

    And as said former WCOM employee, even with 5 years service I had 2 months paid, rather than 3 weeks.

  8. Andy Axel writes
    July 9th, 2009 7:08 pm

    P. to the S. I was raised on Gannett employer benefits, so I know shit from shinola here as well.

    They are chiseling people who have 20 & 30+ years service.

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