Breaking: Axe Falls At Time Inc., 44 People Staffers Unceremoniously Fired Over Speakerphone 36706

Is there really a nice way to go about firing someone? We’re not entirely sure, but we can certainly think of a few tacky ways, and topping that list is the dreaded Speakerphone Termination. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened at People Magazine today, when 44 editorial employees were let go, comprising approximately 15% of to the total job cuts at TIme Inc.

As The NYT reports:

Employees at People said they felt ???shell-shocked??? as Larry Hackett, People???s managing editor, delivered the news by speakerphone from the magazine???s New York offices. The news ???was not sugar-coated,??? one employee said, as employees were told that the company had to cut costs.

Both Time and People are scaling back their practice of using several correspondents to report and write a single article.

Well sure, we all joked about the fact that it took no less than six reporters to write a single story on Britney Spears, but slashing People’s editorial staff? Eliminating Time magazine’s bureaus in Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta? And over speakerphone, no less!

At least Time Inc. is already slashing its costs, eliminating the pesky need for pink-slips when a simple mass phone call will suffice. Next time, though, try and show a little class and do it over the bullhorn, ‘kay?

Earlier:
Time Inc. Still ‘Dedicated,’ But Doesn’t Need Dedication From As Many
Time Inc. All Jazzed About This Internet Thing, That’s Why It’s Cutting Jobs!