Crisis reference

Macmillan trade told employees the company is “delaying the official reopening of the office until no earlier than January 10, 2022, while also adding a soft opening of the office beginning in October 2021.” Previously, they had planned on reopening the New York office on October 18 for those who want to work in the […]

Hachette UK, which had hoped to fully implement its hybrid work policy by September 1, is extending that completion date to October 4. While they are “encouraging staff to move to the 3:2 hybrid working model now if they are ready,” they have added “an optional extension to the transition period,” working one day a […]

With uncertainty surrounding the Delta variant, Hachette Book Group ceo Michael Pietsch told staff that, “We have decided to postpone the reopening of our offices, which had been set for September. We have not set a new reopening schedule at this time. When we decide it is safe to proceed with reopening, we will provide […]

For companies still reckoning with how to implement newly-flexible work schedules given that most employees do not want to be in the office five days a week, this HBR piece by Stanford economics professor Nicholas Bloom may be of interest. Bloom’s research confirms that “about 70% of firms, from tiny companies to massive multinationals like […]

Penguin Random House US ceo Madeline McIntosh wrote to staff on Wednesday morning about the company’s extensive thinking on “planning for the next normal,” which includes hopes for a modest reopening of offices later this year, along with a commitment to support work from home on an ongoing basis. She wrote, “The current thinking is […]

The Book Industry Charity Foundation has raised $1 million for a new bookstore grant program that will quickly provide grants to independent bookstores and comic shops facing financial challenges due to COVID-19. Binc’s Survive to Thrive initiative was funded with a leading gift of $500,000, jointly from Ingram Charities and Ingram Content Group; $250,000 from […]