Reach plc proposes new personal development pilot scheme
The NUJ responds with concern over new staff performance objectives.
The National Union of Journalists has engaged in ongoing discussions with Reach plc about plans for an Accelerating Personal Development pilot scheme (ADP). The union has relayed member concerns on the possible impact of benchmarks from the ADP on staff mental health and their journalism.
Chris Morley, Reach NUJ national coordinator, said:
“Our members in Reach were briefed on the Accelerating Personal Development (APD) pilot scheme last week and we have been in discussions with the company about the implications it might have for our members, the journalism they produce and the culture of their newsrooms.
“The scheme revolves around monthly 1:1s where there would clearly be a focus on page view numbers, although the company is keen to stress that an important part of these meetings would also be to discuss commitments to diversity and inclusion and to development of personal projects.
“Digital journalism plays an important and growing part in the mix of income for this company and has done so to date without the need to rely on rigid individual targets. Indeed, in its latest results announced last week, Reach showed how the number of page views throughout the group grew 29% last year compared to 2019 and its digital revenue soared by 25% to that of 2020.
“As a union, we are particularly concerned about the effect constant and relentless scrutiny of members’ performance around page views will have on their well-being – something that Reach also tells us that they take very seriously. We do not see the case for the setting of “benchmarks”, “goals”, “objectives” or however targets may be described, with the negative behaviour and outcomes that can ensue.
“The APD pilot is very detailed and our members are still digesting the news and its implications. We are now taking in their feedback in chapel meetings throughout the group and will be determining our response through the Reach NUJ Group Chapel.
“An initial request by us to pause the pilot has not been accepted at this point by the company, but it has indicated that it is willing to discuss and review the pilot as it goes along and continue dialogue with our reps as it has already done.”