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Publishing jobs under threat
Dozens of jobs are at risk as part of a shake up at educational publisher Pearson in Oxford.
Unions said they were relieved the firm was not sold to a private equity "asset-stripper" following the sale of Harcourt Education at Jordan Hill to Pearson last year.
However, consultation over 39 redundancies has started in the customer services department.
Anna Wagstaffe, Oxford branch secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said: "We understand that there will be quite a few redundancies and it's worrying for staff. At the moment, we have no indication that any of the editorial or designer staff whom we represent are going to be under threat."
No one from Pearson, which bought the firm with 660 workers last year, was available to comment.
The books and online learning materials produced in Oxford are used by teachers and students in primary and secondary schools, with imprints such as Heinemann.
Reed still owns Kidlington-based Elsevier Science, which produces 15,000-plus publications, including medical journal The Lancet.
6:47pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Customer service, Kidlington on 10:33am Wed 23 Jul 08
The Guys in Oxford do a Fantastic job such a shame that they will be going. Yet another fantastic team down the drain
The Guys in Oxford do a Fantastic job such a shame that they will be going. Yet another fantastic team down the drain
Posted by: Legal , but ethically wrong tactics by pearson, Oxford on 1:48pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Since aquisition pearson have been stripping off chucks or Harcourt always staying below the threshold of numbers that would require the Dept of Trade and Industry to take an interest. [bold]The REAL total is over 200 people and counting![/bold]
Also dodgily 39 staff are being made redundant and 7 new jobs are bing created but [bold]NONE[/bold] of the existing staff are allowed to apply.
Bear that in mind next time you consider a pearson product
Since aquisition pearson have been stripping off chucks or Harcourt always staying below the threshold of numbers that would require the Dept of Trade and Industry to take an interest.
The REAL total is over 200 people and counting!
Also dodgily 39 staff are being made redundant and 7 new jobs are bing created but
NONE of the existing staff are allowed to apply.
Bear that in mind next time you consider a pearson product
Posted by: Joe Wallace, San Antonio on 7:20pm Wed 23 Jul 08
When I started working at Harcourt Assessment 3 years ago, we had over 2000 employees. We are now Pearson, and have less than 800 employees. Pearson said that they were not going to lay off people. However, during the "reorganization" period, many has lost their jobs, including me.
When I started working at Harcourt Assessment 3 years ago, we had over 2000 employees. We are now Pearson, and have less than 800 employees. Pearson said that they were not going to lay off people. However, during the "reorganization" period, many has lost their jobs, including me.
Posted by: Pearson Oxford soon to be ex-employ on 11:49pm Wed 23 Jul 08
I am one of the 39 being made redundant, I would first like to clarify that we are being encouraged to apply for the now 11 new positions, but I doubt there will be 5 who will apply.
We are used to giving our customers a complete and high standard of service and this will not be possible in the new Customer Service dept.
It is extremely sad for everyone concerned as we ALL work to a very high standard there are a lot of us who have worked here for 10 years plus, we are more than colleagues we feel that we are part of a family, how many work forces can claim that?
Anyway nothing will change there will still be 39 people who are going to be made redundant.
Prospectus employers of these 39 will be the winners.
I am one of the 39 being made redundant, I would first like to clarify that we are being encouraged to apply for the now 11 new positions, but I doubt there will be 5 who will apply.
We are used to giving our customers a complete and high standard of service and this will not be possible in the new Customer Service dept.
It is extremely sad for everyone concerned as we ALL work to a very high standard there are a lot of us who have worked here for 10 years plus, we are more than colleagues we feel that we are part of a family, how many work forces can claim that?
Anyway nothing will change there will still be 39 people who are going to be made redundant.
Prospectus employers of these 39 will be the winners.
Posted by: Pearson, Oxford on 10:41am Thu 24 Jul 08
It has to be said that Pearson, have handled all this very badly. I have watched in dismay at the way my colleagues have been treated. Redundancy is sadly a part of life, granted, but the way this has all been handled, communicated and managed is very poor indeed....
It has to be said that Pearson, have handled all this very badly. I have watched in dismay at the way my colleagues have been treated. Redundancy is sadly a part of life, granted, but the way this has all been handled, communicated and managed is very poor indeed....
Posted by: Colleague from Oxford on 9:30pm Thu 24 Jul 08
A brilliant team delivering the best customer services in the Business, making majority of them redundant, What are Pearson thinking?
A brilliant team delivering the best customer services in the Business, making majority of them redundant, What are Pearson thinking?
Posted by: Colleague, Oxford on 11:20am Fri 25 Jul 08
The word is that the 1-2-1 redundacy consultations have been handled very badly indeed - Inpersonal, insensitive and rude. Shame on you Pearson. I thought one of your "values" (!) was valuing your staff.....
The word is that the 1-2-1 redundacy consultations have been handled very badly indeed - Inpersonal, insensitive and rude. Shame on you Pearson. I thought one of your "values" (!) was valuing your staff.....
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