The Scoop

Parent Seattle Times Co. also runs seattletimes.com, Washington's Yakima Herald-Republic, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, and Issaquah Press, as well as a monthly paper by and for teens. In 1998, the company acquired five Maine newspapers, marking its first foray out of Washington. In early 2000 the company launched NWsource.com, "a destination site for people who live in, visit or have an interest in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest." Though newspaper giant Knight-Ridder owns a 49 percent interest in the company, the Blethen family, now in its fourth generation of ownership, makes the decisions. Like many newspapers, the company takes an active role in the community it covers, running a Newspaper in Education program and events such as the Northwest Book Festival, which it sponsors in conjunction with Microsoft. The Seattle Times has also made drawn attention for its unusually diverse newsroom. Moreover, the newspaper's commitment to diversity compelled it to endorse presidential candidate Bill Bradley in December 1999, citing his position as "a leader who understands that this nation needs to move further toward inclusion."

Getting Hired

For those interested in newsroom work, names and e-mail addresses of editors are available at www.seattletimes.com. Those seeking positions in other departments should contact the company's human resources department. To increase diversity, the Times has a human resources director specifically responsible for recruiting minorities and women. The paper posts openings on its web site and "gets a lot of leads through referrals." Insiders say the company emphasizes internal advancement and inter-departmental movement - many employees are from the Seattle area and stay with the company for extended tenures - so most job openings are at the entry-level. Higher-level "jobs are initially offered in-house through our intranet and board postings," reveals a contact. "However, if we can't find a suitable candidate, the Times does advertise in the Sunday classifieds."

"Depending on the level of the position you are applying for, the interviewing process can get pretty involved," says a contact. The Times "is very concerned with fit" - hence the "Eva test." "Eva," one helpful contact explains, "is a woman who consults with the Times to provide an employee profile. She looks for things like attitudes towards work, personality, math and verbal skills, and general aptitude." The process is "very time consuming," notes another insider, "but it's actually quite interesting. I found it to be extremely accurate." Another source adds, "In general, it's only two or three interviews, and they're pretty painless. We've actually been complimented on our interview process."

Our Survey Says

Warm 'n' friendly

The Times is described as a "warm and friendly, extremely fast-paced" environment where "everyone takes the time to be considerate and talk about important issues." "The Blethen family really cares about its employees," says a source, "and the company culture is geared toward families." So much so that "summer picnics and holiday parties are not too appealing for singles." The Times offers benefits for partners of homosexuals, an on-site daycare center, generous options for maternity leave, and incentives for car-pooling. Dress codes "depend on what your position is," but "in the newsroom, it's pretty casual."

Telecommute

"The Times is a 24-hour operation," notes a contact, "so your hours can be just about anything." Work hours are set in shifts, and tend to be flexible. One informant remarks, "I have had weeks where I work two morning shifts, one afternoon shift, and two night shifts." Other employees report working four 10-hour days, and some are able to telecommute a day or two a week.

Hail Puget Sound!

Without exception, employees say the company's record for minority and female hiring is exceptional (although the actual stats tell a more mediocre tale of diversity). The Times reports that, according to a September 1998 survey, 23.3 percent of its employees are minorities and 35.3 percent are female. In the management ranks, 14 percent are minorities and 36 percent are female. "This is a truly multicultural environment," reports a source, "our company represents a cross section of the whole Seattle/Puget Sound area."

"Over the last seven years," notes a longtime insider, "this company has seriously increased diversity awareness with an eye toward promoting women." Adds another, "we have one of the highest percentages of minorities and women of all newsrooms in the country." One employee describes diversity at the Times as "a year-round celebration." Women "hold high positions in the company, from executive management and up." Insiders remark that there is "zero tolerance" for discrimination or sexual harassment. Remarks another contact, "there are lots of minorities" and the company "is very accepting of gays and lesbians." A gay insider is forthcoming about the company's reception of him: "I can say first hand that I am treated very well. I have been here for more than 10 years, and I think this is one of the better companies to work for."

Problem-solving sleuths

One five-year veteran of the Seattle Times says, "professionally speaking, it's a wonderful experience. I consider myself pretty lucky to be here. Adds another source, "I have the opportunity to work and play in an environment with state of the art technology." Employees have "the chance to solve challenging problems relating to effective 'on time' production." The company's new production facility in Bothell, WA is "completely computerized, with the best possible equipment for the print media industry. It is impressive to witness." Another informant gushes, "it's awe-inspiring to work with."

Shame on you, Management

Management "is friendly towards employees, but often shortsighted and less organized than you might expect," says an insider. Furthermore, "the Seattle Times today is much leaner than it was years ago," claims another. "Six years ago, two of us screwed in a light bulb. Now I've got to do it myself." In describing the corporate culture, one source is careful to discern between "affiliated and non-affiliated employees." The Seattle Times Company "has contracts with different Union organizations, including the Newspaper Writers Guild." One contact feels that "there is a bias in the manner in which management deals with workers who are organized and those who are not."

Union busters

One source explains that "the company's largest expenses are for paper and labor. They don't have much control over the cost of paper, but they do have some control over what they pay for labor. So what you'll find is 'pattern bargaining' with the unions. Everyone in the union gets the same compensation package. On the other hand, those who are not affiliated with a group receive better compensation packages with a greater degree of flexibility for improvement - it's on a 'free agent basis,' so to say." This rule also applies to bonuses. "Those in unions receive fixed dollar amounts, while non-affiliated workers receive a percentage of the company's earnings." In essence, "we have what some would call a 'union-busting' management. Their objective is to weaken the position that organized labor has within the company. So they dilute the language of the contracts and constrain the wage and compensation packages." The source concludes, "I have to say, their practices are very effective."

No throat slashers

"If you're not from Seattle," warns an insider from the IS department, "I would be more concerned about adapting to the weather than working at the Times. It can be depressing." Luckily, the people at the paper are "friendly, interesting, and accommodating - in short, the paper's biggest asset. They are interested in excelling, but they are not cutthroat."

Employment Contact

Patricia Preciado
Human Resources

Key Competitors

Gannett; McClatchy Company; Times Mirror

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