Jan 20, 2009 03:34 PM
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Tue Feb 9
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Warners heads Barry Meyer and Alan Horn issued a memo today breaking news that 10% of their workforce would be laid off. That's about 800, mostly accounting and IT personnel that keep the machinery running.
The news comes about a month-and-a-half after Paramount and Universal made similar cuts. The slack will be picked up by overseas labor from countries like India and Poland, outsourced through French company Capgemini. Because there's really nothing more helpful than having someone from Mumbai try to deduce how 98% percent of your paycheck was accidentally withheld for Polish state taxes.
The memo follows:
Dear Colleagues:
We’d like to take a moment and provide some follow-up information to the memo you received earlier this month regarding cost containment at the Studio. We are very sad to announce that based on the global economic situation and current business forecasts, the Studio will have to make staff reductions in the coming weeks in order to control costs.
This was a very difficult decision to make, and one that was not made easily. Despite the fact that the company performed solidly in 2008, this decision reflects changes necessary for stability and growth going forward. The changing entertainment business landscape, shifting consumer demand and the overall state of the economy have affected companies around the world, and Warner Bros. is not immune to these factors.
We have examined every aspect of our business in order to cut costs responsibly and to keep staff reductions to a minimum. One way to achieve these objectives is to outsource certain job functions to a third-party company. To that end, we will be outsourcing the U.S.-based components of certain parts of MIS and accounts payable. This initiative, as well as the ongoing analysis of our global MIS and finance and accounting structures, will be explained in more detail to those business groups directly impacted.
Over the next few weeks, specific information regarding cost cutting measures, including staff reductions, will be shared with you on a divisional or departmental level by your management team.
We will also continue to review our global operations to make sure we’re operating as efficiently and effectively as possible, without negatively affecting our divisions’ ability to conduct business.
We want to reiterate that these staff reductions and organizational changes, which are being made at every level across both corporate and divisional businesses, were our last resort to help position the company for its future.
We understand that these are difficult times for everyone and appreciate your patience and support as we move through them together.
Sincerely,
Barry Meyer Alan Horn
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