Layoffs And Furloughs At O.C. Register

The Orange County Register announced today plans to implement layoffs and mandatory furloughs as part of an effort to reduce expenses. The O.C. Register reports on itself:

Register Publisher Terry Horne said the layoffs would occur over the next few weeks, but he did not have an exact number. Layoffs will be across all departments of Orange County Register Communications, the umbrella organization for all Register properties. A final list of those affected has not been determined.

“Orange County Register Communications has already taken significant measures to reduce costs and generate new sources of revenue since the recession began in December of 2007,” Horne said in a letter to staff. “As we near the end of a very challenging first quarter of 2009, it’s clear we must take even more aggressive actions to balance spending with the revenues we are generating.”

The furloughs are part of a company-wide leave ordered by Irvine-based Freedom Communications Inc., the Register’s parent. The mandatory leave must be taken between April 1 and June 30 and all employees, including executives, will be required to take the unpaid time off.

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