Yes, everyone had 3.5 to 5.5 days of training on the system, depending on the job they do most often. We also are holding weekly refresher courses that last 30 minutes or less. Late person works 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Overtime used to be common, but management has cracked down on it this year. Five days a week, 7.5 hours a day.
Extra pages are okay.
Also, our news hole has become so tight in the last two years that many feel we're not doing an adequate job in informing the public. We're also incredibly top-heavy with management, many of whom seem to have little practical experience and little or no function. Many upper-management people specialize in tinkering or meddling in the daily operation, instead of offering useful direction and following through on anything. Over the past year, we have added eight management positions, while reducing copy desk and reporting positions by the same number. Instability is a big factor in the Bee newsroom.