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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Anybody want to work just 32 hours per week?

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Inky_Wretch, Jan 13, 2009.

  1. NoOneLikesUs

    NoOneLikesUs Active Member

    I was reading or perhaps it was some podcast of some sort last month about how in the early stages of the Great Depression similar "voluntary" reductions in the work week were implemented. But instead of saving jobs, it only led to more layoffs and misery down the road.

    I wish I could remember where I saw it.
     
  2. Another Fredrick personal attack. ;)
     
  3. Fredrick

    Fredrick Well-Known Member

    Ours is a sweat shop. What is so hard to understand about that people? You've heard the horror stories. This horror story is about a sweatshop. I could give a shit if you don't believe me on this anonyous message board. I try to be honest and get it shoved in my face.
     
  4. buckweaver

    buckweaver Active Member

    So why do you do it?
     
  5. Fredrick

    Fredrick Well-Known Member

    Buck, do you want to do a psycho-evaluation? I don't know? Maybe some psychiatrist could tell you or me. I know one thing: I am not alone out there. People do work seven days a week eight to 10 hours a day. You put overtime; you in trouble.
     
  6. shotglass

    shotglass Guest

    Yes, but nobody else is this bitter.

    I truly, sadly hope you do not have a pet, because I'm afraid you go home and kick it.
     
  7. Fredrick

    Fredrick Well-Known Member

    Shotglass I have 2 dogs thank you. And they are german sheps, treated very well which my food bill attests. The Sheps are great. Good dogs to have because if any 10 a.m.er comes to my house they are going to get bit good.
     
  8. Mark2010

    Mark2010 Active Member

    Seriously, mate, I suspect you are a spot-on good guy,team player and all the rest.

    But human nature is simply to push people as far as they will allow themselves to be pushed. 45 hours, 50 hours, 70 hours, whatever. It's also human nature to resent being taken advantage of, which is clearly the case here.

    I would kindly suggest that you have a heart-to-heart with your supervisor (sports ed, managing ed, whomever) as soon as possible and discuss your frustrations. If you're willing to live with what they say, fine. If not, be prepared to bail.

    Look, this get ridiculous. Even McDonald's PAYS people when they work overtime. If it means enough to you, put down every freakin hour you work. When they go bat-shit crazy, you will have made your point and won't feel compelled to do it anymore.
     
  9. TheSportsPredictor

    TheSportsPredictor Well-Known Member

    Dishonest. Not a sweatshop.
     
  10. wicked

    wicked Well-Known Member

    I have a problem buying the being-in-the-office seven days thing. (Sorry, I'm gonna logically address Fredrick's claim.) Surely, your office has limited access-- something is recording your movements in and out of the facility. And at a Gannett-like facility, where the big brass have nothing to do but read reports and mentally masturbate at the 10 a.m. meeting, they'll be reading those reports. And they see you coming in at all hours of the weekend. They'd be talking to you-- 1. because they don't wanna get sued a few years down the line by you; 2. they want to make sure you don't live there; and 3. because they want to make sure you ain't downloading porn. I'm sure they also have the systems guys checking on the latter. So, Fredrick, if you're really going into the office seven days a week, I'd be concerned. Big Brother G is looking for ya. And analyzing the seat stains, too.
     
  11. SixToe

    SixToe Well-Known Member

    If you're working 70 hours a week, you need a life, a good hobby or some mental help. Maybe all three.

    That's neither normal nor healthy, no matter how many great Sheps you have at home.
     
  12. JayFarrar

    JayFarrar Well-Known Member

    I call BS on 70 hours a week, year round.
    I could see it, maybe, but you would need an awful lot of very specific things to happen.
    Such as a very small paper in a major market that has multiple pro franchises and lots of college and prep athletics. You also need to be the only person at your shop who knows how to layout pages in the design system the paper uses.
    You were hired to be a desker, but you think the way to get ahead is to be a writer, plus you like mixing it up with the big papers at the various press boxes you make. So you cover every single pro and college game you can to build clips.
    So, let's imagine I'm a writer/desker who covers college football every Saturday and then I bust hump to get back to the desk and write, then layout the pages. Sunday I cover the local pro teams and then head back to the office to write and layout the Monday section. Monday in early because the boss wants you there for the 10 a.m. meeting, then you hang around to catch calls, and then you work late to layout the pages.
    That repeats during the week, but also mix in game coverage. Some days you slip out for a little bit here and there, mostly to go out and walk the dogs.
    You could repeat the process during the winter with hoops/hockey and then in the summer with minor- and major-league baseball plus all the preps.
    That would be the only way to hit the hour count, every week, year round.
    Possible, I guess.
     
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