Random to cut 5% of its workforce
04.03.09 Benedicte Page writing in The Bookseller:
04.03.09 Benedicte Page writing in The Bookseller:
Random House has announced plans to axe 5% of its UK workforce—an estimated 30 jobs. The cuts are to be made through a combination of redundancies and leaving existing vacancies unfilled.
Chairman and c.e.o. of Random House Group Gail Rebuck said that rising costs, the collapse of book distributor EUK and the severe financial downturn had all contributed to the decision to cut jobs.
In an email to staff, she said: "Our responsibility is to ensure that we remain as strong through this period of recession as we do through periods of growth. To emerge from the recession ready to build a still stronger future, we need to make difficult decisions now, above and beyond our normal good management."
She said that the company remained committed to publishing "the best books in the world" and added: "The strengths of our lists for 2009 speak for themselves and we will continue to strive to make the most of our successes at the same time as investing in finding and developing new talent."
A statutory 30-day period of consultation for those whose jobs are affected has now begun.
Chairman and c.e.o. of Random House Group Gail Rebuck said that rising costs, the collapse of book distributor EUK and the severe financial downturn had all contributed to the decision to cut jobs.
In an email to staff, she said: "Our responsibility is to ensure that we remain as strong through this period of recession as we do through periods of growth. To emerge from the recession ready to build a still stronger future, we need to make difficult decisions now, above and beyond our normal good management."
She said that the company remained committed to publishing "the best books in the world" and added: "The strengths of our lists for 2009 speak for themselves and we will continue to strive to make the most of our successes at the same time as investing in finding and developing new talent."
A statutory 30-day period of consultation for those whose jobs are affected has now begun.
Random House is the second of the big publishers to announce job cuts: at the beginning of February HarperCollins UK said it was in a consultation period with its staff, which could see 5% of jobs made redundant.
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