Posted to Post staff, July 25:
From Bill Rose:
Q. If I want to sign the voluntary separation agreement and turn it in to HR BEFORE Aug. 11, can I do that? Or do I have to wait until Aug. 11? (Other similar questions that have also been asked: I’ve applied, been accepted, and signed my agreement before leaving work Friday Aug. 8. Do I need to return to work on Monday, Aug. 11? Can I come in Aug. 11 and not come in Aug. 12? Can I skip Aug. 11, show up on the 12th? Can I skip both days? You’re not really going to expect me to do any work on either day if I come in, are you? Can I take vacation on Aug. 11 and 12, since you’re charging me with vacation on Aug. 13, 14 and 15?)
A. You need to come in on Aug. 11 and 12 and work. But IF your supervisor decides he can do without you on one or both of those days and gives you permission to take vacation, then you don’t have to be here. In that case, you can sign the final form before then and we will charge vacation for that time. You would, of course, have to turn in all company property before departing on Aug. 12 or before the agreed upon date.
Q. I have signed up for the voluntary separation and fully plan to take it and retire. If I die before then, would my wife get to take my separation amount and my pension and health benefits?
A. Obviously, you won’t get pension benefits in death because you would have died before becoming eligible to retire. The separation package will not be available for your spouse. Your spouse should contact the Cox benefits number given in the blue FAQs for details on what exactly he or she is eligible to receive.
Q. I’ve heard some editors are quietly asking some people to change their minds and stay. Is that true, who and why?
A. Not true. No editors will ask anybody to stay — or to go. This decision is voluntary and completely up to you. We still have to do our jobs, and editors are naturally going to talk to staffers about upcoming projects. But if you think you can read between the lines and make decisions based on something you think your editor meant, you are very mistaken. Don’t do that. All editors, managers and supervisors understand that this decision is voluntary. We said at the start that the company, paper and staff will become smaller, and that nobody’s job is guaranteed. That’s still the case. We have not completed a plan for what the new newsroom operation will be because we’re waiting to see who’s actually here and what the numbers are. So make your decision based on that, and not on anything you think you heard or understood.
Q. If someone takes the voluntary separation in a lump sum, will that be paid out in a direct deposit to the bank, or will it be by check? I’m guessing that if it is by check, there is a bigger chance that the bank will put a hold on it for two weeks.
A. Not only can a lump sum be paid through direct deposit, we PREFER direct deposit.
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