For more than 16 months, news industries across the world have been performing remotely as a consequence of the pandemic. Currently, organizations such as Bloomberg, New York Times, and USA Daily are taking different approaches, from flexible arrangements to returning fully to the office.
In every industry, from health to communications and entertainment, the way of working has changed. During 2020 it was mostly out of necessity that companies required employees to work from home. But now restrictions have been lifted in most countries. Some organizations are still allowing flexible arrangements. Others are strongly against it. For example, in the finances sector, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley want their employees back in the office. In the news industry, there are also different approaches to remote work.
Here at ThinkRemote, we’re trying to keep you updated with the latest news in remote work.
Bloomberg Wants Its Employees Back in the Office
Mike Bloomberg, Bloomberg LP founder, and CEO told its employees in an internal memo that the organization is committed to building the safest environment for everyone to return. In the memo, obtained by CNBC, he stated that:
That way of working is central to who we are at Bloomberg, and the buzz in our buildings will resume and grow stronger each day into 2021. After all, it’s our people who make Bloomberg such a great place to work.
There will be some exceptions allowed; however, the news organization is encouraging employees to get vaccinated as soon as possible to speed the process.
The New York Times & The Financial Times are Embracing Flexibility
The New York Times and The Financial Times are some of the news organizations embracing changes to some extent. The NYT is re-opening the company’s headquarters today – July 12 – however, most employees will return to the office after Labor Day. Employees will have flexible arrangements in their workdays.
Later this year, the organization will be implementing its new working structure that consists of employees working in the office three days a week and two days remotely. Those who want to work entirely in the office are welcomed to do so.
An internal memo (obtained by CNBC) Jacqueline Welch, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Executive Vice President mentioned:
While most employees will have much more flexibility in how they work, we expect that for most teams, full-time remote work will be the exception, rather than the norm.
The Financial Times is also implementing a hybrid approach, according to spokesperson Sophie Knight:
News is a fast-paced business and there is huge benefit in working together on site. That said, we have mastered remote working in the past year and plan to build the lessons learned into a more flexible model.
USA Today Will Implement a Hybrid Approach
USA Today and other local newspapers owned by Gannett are planning to return to the office by October. The organization has already opened 200 of its 300 offices across the country. Despite encouraging employees to return to the office, the newspaper will add flexible arrangements to its employees. They haven’t formally announced specifics around the new hybrid approach, but it plans to offer employees to work from home part-time. A Dow Jones spokesperson told CNBC:
A number of our offices around the world have begun a phased return to the workplace. Here in the States, we will have more to share with our colleagues in the coming weeks as we review input from our employees and put finishing touches on our plans.
Although not every news organization is all-in for remote work, most of them are planning to incorporate flexible arrangements in the workplace.
