HarperCollins Layoffs
HarperCollins has let 12 staffers go across adult and children’s divisions and instituted a hiring freeze, citing “cost pressures.” In a statement to Publishers Lunch, the company said,
The business is facing continued cost pressures, including price increases related to printing, production, freight and distribution, and we are taking decisive steps to operate as efficiently as possible. As part of this process, we have made some difficult decisions and a small number of positions have been eliminated as teams restructure.
A memo to staff from HC CEO Brian Murray elaborated:
For the past several years we have been operating in a state of constant change —shifting resources as necessary to manage economic and consumer behavioral savings. With continued cost pressures across all areas of the supply chain, and ongoing uncertainty through the remainder of the fiscal year, we need to control costs and operate as efficiently as possible.
We have been working diligently to address our procurement and fulfillment hurdles as well as reduce non-essential expenses and travel, but further action is required. We will be pausing on the majority of hiring for open positions and leaders across the company have implemented changes to some team structures. Unfortunately, this has meant the elimination of a small number of positions, so I want to thank our departing colleagues for their contributions. Balancing our future success with the present business environment is never an easy task, but it is especially difficult in a climate with so much uncertainty.
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