NO LOVE AT TIME INC.

The digital world has not been kind to the publishing industry. While there have been advances in communications, content creation, and the automation of printing and fulfillment, many people choose to get their news faster and from sources closer to the action, and preferably at no charge. So it comes as no surprise that Time Inc. has announced that it has planned to lay off approximately 200 employees, half in editorial positions, in the coming months.

To counter advertising and circulation declines, Time was giving away premier content each month – some to the traditional high-traffic locations like doctor’s waiting rooms, but some subscribers found their lapsed subscriptions extended without charge. Possibly to meet minimum circulation guarantees to advertisers.

In addition to personnel reductions, look to see the number of issues reduced, but with possible fatter content. Look for some titles and operations to be sold, leading to additional layoffs. 

With an aging America, deep divisions in politics, and the rise of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as legitimate news sources, I would consider mass and even some niche print publishing to be dinosaured over the coming years.  
 

NO LOVE AT PACIFIC ALLIANCE MEDICAL CENTER

Many medical centers are not financially or physically healthy. The Pacific Alliance Medical Center which operates the historic French Hospital in Los Angeles has announced that it will lay off all of the hospital’s 638 employees as it winds down the facilities 150-year history. PAMC, which suffered a first fiscal quarter operating loss of only $12.2 million, cannot afford the earthquake seismic retrofits mandated by the State of California. The real issue is the land underlying the facility which is not owned by the hospital. PAMC is unwilling to invest approximately $100 million to tear-down and re-build a medical center on land it does not own. And, the property owner seems reluctant to sell. Considering that Los Angeles is home to a number of world-class hospitals (UCLA, Cedars Sinai, St. Johns, USC Keck) and their multitudinous clinic outposts and labs, the community is not at further risk and most employees may be able to secure employment in the local area.

A little history from the Hospital’s website …

PAMC has a rich history that dates back to the days when Los Angeles was no more than a small dusty agricultural community with a population of 1,500. In 1860, The French Society was founded as a pre-paid health plan for newly arrived French citizens. The Society soon realized that the growing French community needed a hospital. In 1869, it constructed the French Hospital at the corner of College and Hill Street, making it Los Angeles’ first hospital. That hospital is now known as Pacific Alliance Medical Center. The landmark Joan of Arc statue still stands today on our front lawn as a proud reminder of this period in our city's history.
By the 1900s, the once predominate French community welcomed Chinese immigrants working in the railroads and agriculture. The area became known as Chinatown. In 1989, the founding board members of PAMC took a substantial risk and purchased the French Hospital from the French Benevolent Association as part of their commitment to maintaining a full-service hospital in the Chinatown community. Their vision and generosity has allowed PAMC to flourish and serve local residents that now number close to 2 million.
 

NO LOVE AT SEAWORLD (09/15/20)

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 — 1,896 FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEES ARE PERMANENTLY LAID OFF AT THREE LOCATIONS IN FLORIDA

The company has announced that 1,896 employees at SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove who were originally furloughed have has their status converted to permanently laid off.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 — SAN ANTONIO, 242 LAYOFFS

In a Texas State filing, the company has disclosed that SeaWorld San Antonio has laid off 242 employees in response to declining attendance and revenues.

Acompany spokesperson noted, "The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on each of our lives, in ways both small and profound. The same is true for the travel, tourism, entertainment, and hospitality industries, and the operations of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.

While we were able to bring thousands of furloughed Ambassadors back to work and hoped to bring back everyone, the current environment requires us to set up the company for long term success. SeaWorld has determined that it must transition certain park and corporate personnel from a furloughed status to a permanent layoff.

We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of our Ambassadors to our company’s shared mission, values, and goals. Over our 60-year history, our parks have inspired millions of guests to love, protect and care for our planet’s animals and their habitats. We are sorry to have to part ways with any team members in this difficult moment, but their abiding commitment to our guests, fellow Ambassadors and animals is recognized and made a lasting impact."

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 — FURLOUGHS CONVERTED TO PERMANENT LAYOFFS (SEE 9/15/20 POST)

In a filing with the Securities and Exchnge Commission, the company noted that an unspecified number of furloughs would be converted to permanent layoffs due to the unforseeable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a company spokesperson, “We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of our Ambassadors to our company’s shared mission, values, and goals. Over our 60-year history, our parks have inspired millions of guests to love, protect and care for our planet’s animals and their habitats. We are sorry to have to part ways with any team members in this difficult moment, but their abiding commitment to our guests, fellow Ambassadors and animals is recognized and made a lasting impact.”

SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 — 100 CALL CENTER EMPLOYEES LAID OFF

The company has announced the layoff of 100 employees at its Orlando, Florida call center. Call center operations are being outsourced to a third-party business process outsourcer.

According to a company spokesperson, “SeaWorld undertook a careful review of our operations and made a business decision to restructure our call center operations. This move will allow us to better and more efficiently scale our call center to meet customer demand, especially during peak months."

Previous post…

Once again we see the power of a relatively small group of animal and environmental activists and a well-coordinated media campaign as Sea World announces that they will lay off 350 employees.

Much of SeaWorld’s woes can be attributed to the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which detailed the purported abuse of “killer whales” (orcas) at SeaWorld. Without its iconic star “Shamu” attraction, attendance plummeted.  This movie and all of the surrounding hype greatly upset children and their virtue signaling parents who refused to visit the attraction.

This layoff was preceded by another 320 jobs last December (2015) and 300 jobs the previous year (2014). Declining attendance, revenue, and profits – and the rising value of the company’s real estate may mean that there is more money in high-rise condos than an amusement venue.

No matter how much fun amusement attractions seem, the idea of a family of four paying a little over $3,0200 for a four-day vacation including hotel but exclusive of travel seems excessive. Especially with an increasing degree of 3-D and immersive virtual reality devices that can replicate everything but the smell, the crowds, and the fatigue, hassle, and long lines.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?