Even More Layoffs at Reader's Digest

The sinking ship known as Reader's Digest Association has recently cut another 150 jobs worldwide. Thirty of these jobs were at the company’s Greendale, Wisconsin-based Reiman Publications. And that's the part of the company doing well! Ha ha.

In the White Plains, NY office, nearly half of the Children's Books division was sent packing, including a mid-west sales rep. Eliminating sales reps is a clear indication of throwing in the towel. It won't be long now before Children's Books is closed completely. I give it 2-3 months. The rest of the company? Maybe 6.

OK, let's all sit back and watch the ship sink now. Get some popcorn!

Meanwhile, RD is continuing their misguided "We Hear You America" campaign, which grants up to $50,000 to American cities in need. Hello? Your own employees are in need! They haven't gotten a raise in two years. Not to mention the ones laid off. Do you really think it's a good idea to be doling out money you don't have? Here's a tip to the cities that win grants: Cash the check as soon as possible.

Reader's Digest wants your life story!

Reader's Digest is running a cool contest, and you can win money!

Share a lesson, simple advice, funny moment or other story from your life in 150 words or fewer. Your story could be chosen by our editors to be published in Reader’s Digest and win $25,000!

Here is the link: Reader's Digest Version

And here is my story, exactly 150 words:

I was born the same place I was conceived--in the back of a taxi cab. The driver, of middle eastern origin, who had previous experience birthing goats and sheep, wrapped my wet, newborn body in a large print edition of Reader's Digest Magazine. I was literally born into the Digest. The pages clung to me, the ink staining my skin like tattoos. If you look closely enough, you can still see the Reader's Digest logo, faint but there, the noble pegasus always flying, perpetually, majestically. The ink entered my bloodstream; blood is thicker than water, ink is thicker than blood. My monthly cycle was in tune with the magazine’s pub date. I was hired after college, entering the hallowed halls of the original building. Separated at birth. Reunited. I left when the company left. I survived as the company survives. I live and breathe still. I am Reader’s Digest.

Reader's Digest For Sale

According to today's Wall Street Journal:

Reader's Digest Association Inc., the magazine and website publisher that emerged from bankruptcy protection in early 2010, has put itself up for sale and hopes to fetch around $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The New York-based company, which is best known for its namesake family magazine, has hired financial advisers to shop the company to potential buyers, including private-equity firms and other media companies, these people said. The process may result in the sale or spinoff of some Reader's Digest properties rather than the sale of the entire company, two of the people added.

Is this winter over yet?

Hi all. I figured I'd check in and give you an update from icy White Plains.
• This winter is relentless. One snowstorm after another. And the temperature is not warming up, so the snow from previous storms isn't melting. More just gets piled on. Yesterday we had an ice storm, just to change things up a little. RD's snow policy seems to be the company will never close, but you can work from home if you clear it with your manager first. Except upper management is putting pressure on lower management to make everyone come into the office. So, we're getting a mixed message. I myself have been coming in every day.
• The management of our building, Westchester One, cancels shuttle service to the train station without much warning. If you commute here by train, well—sorry! You're out of luck. Either you have to beg a co-worker for a ride to the train station, or you have to walk a mile (uphill) through ice and snow to get there (while carrying your files so you can "work from home"). Why are they canceling the shuttle service? This is White Plains! We're not in the sticks here. The roads are plowed and salted. In Pleasantville RD owned a shuttle van, and someone drove it back and forth. If it snowed, they drove slow. We're not trying to get people to the moon here. It's only a mile drive.
• The White Plains office now has flooring in the kitchen and carpeting outside of the elevators.
• Still no personal garbage cans.
• There is now "art" hanging on the walls. It's the ugly, reject art that no one wanted to buy during the company auction, but at least we're not looking at bare white walls anymore.
• I still have no idea where these supposed "huddle rooms" are.