A source tells me that the administration of the Press Herald has at least one curious policy that drives its employees batty:
Employees are required to have a subscription to the paper. This may not sound like much of a big deal, but they are also required to pay for their subscription at full price.
What, the paper can't get enough subscribers on its own merits? It can't even offer its employees a discount?!
It just struck me as a little weird. Is this a common practice of large corporate newspapers?
5 comments:
In a past job (for a nonprofit technical association), the job required that I be a paid member of the association, which cost over $90/year.
Not a big deal for the directors, managers, et al who made $50k and above, but for someone still in college, barely making ends meet with 2 roommates, it was a pretty stupid requirement.
If the Press Herald's bottom line requires employees to pay for subscriptions, maybe they should rethink their business model.
GM has a similarly well-thought out policy to promote their product - employees and visitors must drive GM vehicles or be banished to the furthest parking lots. Look how much it's helped them... oh, wait, nevermind.
This is just another example of the ridiculous measures that trickle down from the ivory tower of Jeanne Guttmann, editor-in-chief of Maine's largest daily newspaper.
Portland needs another local paper, ala The Portland Pigeon, the old Casco Bay Weekly, or something that goes head-to-head with this failed print empire.
Actually, Chris Busby's enterprise, The Bollard is provided needed investigative journalism, but its online-only access keeps it out of the hands of the "man on the street." Oh, I almost forgot--we have The Portland Phoenix.
Here are some of my own thoughts about Frau Guttmann's newspaper, the beloved Press Herald.
Seems a Civil Liberties class action suit in the making.
If this policy was in effect when new hires come aboard, it is perfectly reasonable. It's their company and unless the restrictions of employment are contrary to law, an employer has a perfect right to set restrictions. Dress codes, personal grooming, membership or subscription, perfectly allowed, even if they are mysterious.
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