Approximately 70 ShopNBC employees were laid off yesterday in an effort to "cut costs."
Even the hosts weren't spared at the chopping block this time. According to an anonymous sources, hosts Bill Fahey and Kerry McNally were both let go. And Jim Fisher's contract was not renewed, but he will now be a guest for the coin jewelry shows. Daniel Green is also gone, but he resigned a few weeks ago to do a local television kitchen show.
Per CNN, ShopNBC's "salaried work force was reduced by approximately 11%, which is effective immediately. This represents a total reduction in the salaried workforce of 27% from fiscal 2007. Impacted team members were offered competitive severance and outplacement services. Additionally, the Company will suspend its 401(k) match for fiscal 2009, and there will be a salary freeze with no merit pay increases in the coming fiscal year."
Jewelry Television also announced yesterday that they were starting yet another round of layoffs. They already have reduced their workforce from about 2000 people to 1300 in 2008. They aren't saying how many employees will get pink slips this time. However per the comments I'm reading here, it sounds like they were short staffed and encouraging call center employees to work overtime in December. Strange.
I wish everyone effected by these layoffs the best.
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