Recognize that they feel they are becoming more technicians than journalists, that they're being forced to favor form over content. Leadership is key, Gamman said. Give them opportunities to talk to you. Heed what they say. And most important, act on it.
Many copy editors feel like they are just shoveling copy.
He emphasized that editors must be honest with their desks about staffing, but not gloomy, Ford said. A hunker-down mentality at the top tends to produce a feeling of hopelessness among the ranks. It's important to emphasize what is possible and what quality journalism and job satisfaction will result from that. Pioneer Press eliminated its universal desk and assigned her to an education team of four reporters and a senior editor. Papers with fewer resources may not be able to try a team restructuring.