QVC is Tightening it's Belt

QVC recently announced that they were taking more steps to reduce costs by eliminating merit raises for all employees and by reducing hours across the board for call and distribution center workers (equivalent to about one day a week). Right now, QVC is saying that this is a temporary program that they will reevaluate at the end of June. However, once they reassess the situation, the program could possibly end or it could get even bigger. Yikes.

A few months ago, QVC announced huge layoffs. I was not happy with what they were doing and how they were handling it (you can read my rant-filled post here). However, as much as it totally sucks to not get a well-deserved raise and have your hours cut, this is much preferable to firing more people. This feels more like a general tightening of the belt in order to get through this hard time together. I hope it works and QVC doesn't do another round of layoffs.

I have to wonder how customer service--something the Q has long prided themselves on--will suffer because of this.

ShopNBC Cuts Host Jobs

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.