HarperCollins will become the last of the big five publishers to raise minimum salaries to $45,000 for employees based in New York and San Francisco, effective January 18, in an agreement they made with the HarperCollins Union on Friday. The next three tiers of employees will move up to annual salaries of $47,000, $49,000, and $51,000, respectively. The company said in a statement, “HarperCollins announced its intention to raise the minimum salary for its employees based in the New York metropolitan area and San Francisco—our locations with the highest cost of living—to $45,000 annually. This decision is part of the […]
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Knopf Random House Canada to Split, Becoming Knopf Canada and Random House Canada
Knopf Random House Canada will split in the new year, becoming Knopf Canada and Random House Canada, which will operate as independent divisions. The two lines had been consolidated in 2009. Additionally, Anne Collins, publisher of Knopf Random House Canada for 11 years, will change roles, becoming executive editor and vice president, Random House Canada, starting January 4. Penguin Random House Canada ceo Kristin Cochrane writes in the announcement, “While the Knopf Random House Canada group has been successful as a division since these two storied imprints were put together over a decade ago, I believe the time is right […]
Small Press Distribution Anonymously Accused of Illegal Payroll Practices, Hostility and Abuse
An anonymous person (aka Damaged Book worker) who says they are a former employee of Small Press Distribution accused the company of illegal payroll practices that led to employees being underpaid, as well as anti-worker hostility and abuse resulting in the employee resigning in early 2020. The allegations were made in a December 2 Medium post, which links to a redacted severance agreement the former employee says offered $2,500 “in exchange for my complete confidentiality and a promise not to prosecute.” The employee, who started as a warehouse worker before moving to the front office, did not sign. On December […]
Hachette Book Group Will Increase Starting Salaries to $45,000
Hachette Book Group will join Penguin Random House in increasing starting salaries to $45,000 in its most expensive locations. Salaries in HBG locations with lower cost of living will start at $41,000. The new salaries will take effect February 2021, at the company’s normal salary review period, and adjacent salaries will also be adjusted. A representative for HBG told PL that with the increase, the company hopes to attract and retain more employees of color and from less privileged backgrounds, and that it’s an opportunity they hope people of different economic means will take up. At the beginning of 2020, […]
Salary Updates: Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster
Further to the news that Penguin Random House will raise its entry level salaries to $45,000 at the beginning of 2021, they wrote in an internal memo that “second and third level non-exempt roles” will also receive raises, with “minimum salaries of $50,000 and $55,000 respectively.” The minimum salary for exempt-level positions in New York City will increase from $58,500 (the legal minimum in New York City) to $60,000. PRH locations outside of NYC with entry-level salaries that differ from the New York offices will “hear individually how these changes may impact them.” Additionally, Simon & Schuster employees told PL […]
Women’s Prize Limits Eligibility to Those “Legally Defined as a Woman”
The UK Women’s Prize made a statement clarifying that eligibility is limited to “all women,” declaring that “in our terms and conditions, the word ‘woman’ equates to a cis woman, a transgender woman, or anyone who is legally defined as a woman of the female sex.” Jo Prior, chair of trustees for the prize, writes in the statement, “Over the past quarter of a century the Prize has publicly championed and amplified a diverse breadth of women’s voices, and holds the principle of freedom of expression among its core values. As a Prize which celebrates the voices of women and […]