As of 10 p.m. Monday, only three news staffers notified Mr. Sunbeam that they had decided to take the buyout offer. David McLemore of the San Antonio bureau agreed to be named. The second was a suburban reporter and the third a photographer who will go unnamed unless authorization is given. He was told by others of four additional confirmed takers.
There are no official numbers from management today. You already know that there was some confusion over when people could officially file their acceptance. Apparently, the confusion was confined to a small group, and I don't know that any were newroom staff.
Mr. Sunbeam's COMPLETELY UNOFFICIAL head count - those folks he has heard are saying they plan to take the buyout - amounts to about a dozen total news staffers. These are reporters, editors, photographers and artists. Contrary to the hype, Mr. Sunbeam does not know all and wouldn't believe it if he did. There are eight more days after all.
Once again, if people want to share information, send an email to mr.sunbeam@gmail.com Mr. Sunbeam is at your mercy insofar as counting heads. Help him help you.
Monday, August 11, 2008
A Little More Info on H1-B Visas
A colleague more in the know about immigration issues reports the following:
H-1B holders who lose their jobs (voluntarily or otherwise) have 30 days after leaving their employer to find another employer willing to take them on and file the small mountain of paperwork that the government requires. Otherwise, one could be considered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be "out of status" and subject to deportation.
Ex-H-1B holders who fall out of status don't seem to be ICE's top priority, but who knows.
Belo had an immigration attorney put together the original H-1B paperwork for folks in Al Dia who needed that assistance to be able to work in the U.S. That attorney was Harry J. Joe, now with the Winstead law firm in Dallas. While Mr. Joe still handles immigration matters for the company, the relationship ends when a staffer departs the paper.
Mr. Sunbeam is advised that The DMN will probably hand an immigration folder to anyone who departs the company. I'd doublecheck with Human Resources about this.
An outside attorney who might help is Liz Cedillo-Pereira. Her number is 214-981-9442. You will have to check with her to determine any potential charges for her consultation.
This is from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website and gives some detail on switching employers, or what happens when you reach the end of your six-year status as an H-1B holder. In general, you need to switch status, or depart.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/H1B_FY04_Characteristics.pdf
H-1B holders who lose their jobs (voluntarily or otherwise) have 30 days after leaving their employer to find another employer willing to take them on and file the small mountain of paperwork that the government requires. Otherwise, one could be considered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be "out of status" and subject to deportation.
Ex-H-1B holders who fall out of status don't seem to be ICE's top priority, but who knows.
Belo had an immigration attorney put together the original H-1B paperwork for folks in Al Dia who needed that assistance to be able to work in the U.S. That attorney was Harry J. Joe, now with the Winstead law firm in Dallas. While Mr. Joe still handles immigration matters for the company, the relationship ends when a staffer departs the paper.
Mr. Sunbeam is advised that The DMN will probably hand an immigration folder to anyone who departs the company. I'd doublecheck with Human Resources about this.
An outside attorney who might help is Liz Cedillo-Pereira. Her number is 214-981-9442. You will have to check with her to determine any potential charges for her consultation.
This is from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website and gives some detail on switching employers, or what happens when you reach the end of your six-year status as an H-1B holder. In general, you need to switch status, or depart.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/H1B_FY04_Characteristics.pdf
Getting The Word Out
A piece of advice put out by a former DMNer: Having potential employers know you are available can work to your advantage. This blog has an audience outside the building as well. People in the blogosphere have made postings in the past and may do so again.
Mr. Sunbeam is extremely sensitive to protecting people's privacy in this environment. He has no intention of posting anyone's name without their express permission. He also knows that people can and do change their minds about putting in for the buyout and does not want to cause any embarrassment to those who do have a change of heart before the deadline passes.
Unless persuaded to do otherwise, Mr. Sunbeam will hold to his plan to post only numbers, not names, until after the buyout period ends on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Mr. Sunbeam is extremely sensitive to protecting people's privacy in this environment. He has no intention of posting anyone's name without their express permission. He also knows that people can and do change their minds about putting in for the buyout and does not want to cause any embarrassment to those who do have a change of heart before the deadline passes.
Unless persuaded to do otherwise, Mr. Sunbeam will hold to his plan to post only numbers, not names, until after the buyout period ends on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Please Note If You Put In for The Buyout Overnight
The buyout period did not officially open until 8:30 a.m. Monday morning. Apparently, some people sent in their application right after midnight. Nothing counts until 8:30. If you put in before the official start time, you need to file another notification.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Being One's Own Best Friend
As the buyout decision period begins Monday morning, it occurs to Mr. Sunbeam, aka Master of The Obvious, that no one knows better than each of us what we want and need to do regarding our future career path. Input from others can be helpful, and reviewing our financial status is smart, but it really comes down to a simple gut check.
A suggestion: Put aside the HR pamphlets and management pronouncements and have a heart to heart with yourself. Have confidence in your decision and don't second guess it.
No matter what, the sun's gonna rise tomorrow.
P.S. Mr. Sunbeam will post numbers on buyout applicants if he can obtain them. If you want your name known, send an email to mr.sunbeam@gmail.com
A suggestion: Put aside the HR pamphlets and management pronouncements and have a heart to heart with yourself. Have confidence in your decision and don't second guess it.
No matter what, the sun's gonna rise tomorrow.
P.S. Mr. Sunbeam will post numbers on buyout applicants if he can obtain them. If you want your name known, send an email to mr.sunbeam@gmail.com
Friday, August 8, 2008
Info From The Texas Workforce Commission
Here's a link to the Texas Workforce Commission's FAQs on unemployment compensation. http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/bnfts/claimant1.html#qualify
More Advice From Joe Grimm
Those who read the Romenesko blog may know this already, but Joe Grimm, recruiting honcho of the Detroit Free Press, is taking a buyout. Joe, you may recall, is the guy who usually gives advice to others on how to deal with buyouts. He offers more words of wisdom via the following link:
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=148346
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=148346
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