Kansas City Star's bizarre approach to a staff reduction

Via Romenesko, the Kansas City Star is telling two employees that one of them will lose their job. One of those employees on the chopping block - the one with seniority - gets to decide who gets cut.

http://jimromenesko.com/2012/12/12/kansas-city-star-tells-reporters-to-decide-who-gets-laid-off/

 

Race to the bottom in management techniques.

 

That's why they get the big bucks. An absolute disgrace.

 

Eh, management not wanting to take the blame.

But, honestly, stuff like this goes on a lot, albeit in more subtle ways. Management decides to cut staff and word intentionally leaks out. So they offer a series of "buyouts" to employees. Typically the older ones get a more lucrative buyout than the newcomers. Some decide to take it, others pass. All the while knowing that if I pass, junior down the hall will get canned.

Different method, same results.

 

I assume Karen Dillon will be rewarded with a bonus, as is standard for anyone making layoffs in this industry.

 

This is the most gutless and subhuman management move I have ever heard of at a newspaper. And I know that's saying a lot.

 

Is the Cowardly Lion in charge of the KC Star?

 

Stuff like this goes on where, exactly?

 

Beyond chickenshit...

 

The Denver Post for one...

 

This is why the book of 1 Kings should not be used as a management textbook.

 

This sounds like a deleted scene from Office Space or something.