Sutton-based magazine group Reed Business Information has announced a recruitment freeze for the next three months in response to what the b2b publisher called “challenging” trading conditions.
In a memo sent to staff, the company said that the recruitment freeze which will run at least until the end of September included a stipulation that any employee to leave in the three months will not be replaced.
It also stressed a reduction on freelance or holiday cover. A spokesman said this was not a blanket ban on either – but that all decisions on these matters would be referred to board level. A board review of trading conditions will take place in September.
The spokesman added the company was always looking at ways to reduce its costs and this was “a sensible business decision when forecasts are challenging”.
Related
He added that advertising tended to be slower in the summer.
The NUJ chapel at Reed has yet to meet to discuss the management decisions.
FoC Patric Cunnane said: “Obviously we will be defending our members’ positions, especially if people are being asked to do extra work without additional remuneration or work longer hours for no extra pay.
Content from our partners
“We do have a system of late working allowances to cover additional hours, but we wouldn’t want people to be doing that on a regular basis.”
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
