Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO) has been cutting back on more jobs in the company, as it continually struggles across a number of its properties.
On Tuesday more layoffs were initiated, including Wendy Mure, who was the brand development director at Everyday Food, and Robb Riedel, who was the managing editor for book projects.
Rumors have been floating that others in the marketing, art, and maybe Weddings may also be up for layoffs.
All of this has not only fueled the usual rumor mills at the company, but has also been a distraction for those coming to work daily, who focus more on whether they'll be there tomorrow, rather than doing their jobs.
Even CEO Susan Lyne hasn't been immune to the gossip, as she had to respond to a report in the New York Post that she was not coming back to the company.
"Nothing could be further from my plans," she communicated in an e-mail to employees. "I love this company; more importantly, I believe in the company. We made a big investment in our future this past year — an investment that will start paying off in 2008 — and I want to be here to see that growth. I also know just how lucky I am to work with all of you. We have the best teams in New York at MSLO — bar none."
Whatever the reality is, this situation needs to be stabilized quickly, and the focus brought back to what people are there to do. It seems the leadership isn't sure how to go forward, and so continues to nibble away at laying off people. Many times that can be worse than cutting people all at once.
The actions of the company seems to imply they don't have a handle on the business, and what its immediate future is. Otherwise they'd take care of the layoffs quickly and get their people back focusing on what's really important. Nobody can do that with the layoff sword hanging over their heads.
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