Layoffs have become a regrettably common occurrence in the news industry. But today, an inter-office email went out at The Wall Street Journal that set a new standard for human resources failure.
After Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Gerry Baker announced a round of buyouts Friday, a note went out to employees disclosing layoffs were also coming to employees at Barron’s next week:
Almar, John, Mike,
The email Gerry Baker just sent about wsj buyouts says that dj is offering 1.5x the standard buyout package.
Are we planning to go to the employees we are laying off at Barron’s next week and offer them 1x the standard package. That could create some problems. Please advise.Thanks and best,
Ed
The email, from Barron’s editor Ed Finn, was “a mistake,” he told Politico’s Hadas Gold. The email was intended to clear up which package would go to “several Barron’s folks” who are getting cut next week.
