news


Majority of members feel stressed by pandemic


MORE than half of NUJ members have been concerned about their mental health during the pandemic, according to a survey. Many members found that juggling work during the coronavirus restrictions caused stress and anxiety. They said feelings of isolation, anxiety about losing their jobs, symptoms of long Covid and higher workloads led to depression and insomnia. Juggling childcare, home schooling and getting work done was taking its toll, with 45 per cent saying they had problems coping. Almost three-quarters (72 per cent) said


there had been redundancies and 85 per cent believed the continuing crisis would lead to further job cuts. Some 61 per cent said their income had been affected by the pandemic, with 13 per cent losing all their income and 35.5 per cent earning less than half. One in six freelances said their work had decreased sharply or dried up completely, with 13 per cent saying their work had increased or there had been little impact.


“ Compared with last spring, fewer editorial


staff were on furlough – 14 per cent compared to 45 per cent. However, some staff at JPI Media have been off work since April. Some of those working from home said


employers made few or no allowances for coping with home schooling. Some had been encouraged to take holidays or unpaid leave to look after their children. The survey, which had 840 respondents,


was carried out between the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. Strains of stress, pages 14-15


Third of LGBT+ members harassed at work Two-thirds had not


ALMOST one-third (29 per cent) of NUJ members surveyed during February’s LGBT+ History month said they had experienced bullying, harassment, ill treatment or discrimination


at work because of their sexuality or gender identity. Colleagues were the worst


perpetrators, followed by senior managers; one in 10 said an interviewee had been discrimintory or bullying.


However, almost 70 per cent said their workplace was an inclusive, safe space to be open about their sexuality. Just under half (49 per cent) said the same about gender identity.


NUJ Extra extends Covid help


NUJ EXTRA, the union’s welfare charity, has started a third wave of support for members who have suffered financially as a result of Covid-19 and lockdowns. It has committed to helping


with funding until restrictions are due to end on June 21. Members should contact


NUJ Extra using the form on the website (a paper version


is available). It doesn’t matter whether or not you have claimed before. If you are claiming for the


first time and would have benefited from previous support, your payment will be backdated. NUJ Extra trustees are


concerned that members may be unaware of the scheme or feel they do not deserve it.


experienced any workplace policies denying them equal access to employment rights or workplace benefits. There were 284


respondents to the survey.


Almost three-quarters said there had been redundancies and 85 per cent believed the continuing crisis would lead to further job cuts


inbrief...


REVENUE AT REACH DROPS 14.6 PER CENT Reach, publisher of the Mirror, Express and Star and many regional titles, reported a 14.6 per cent fall in revenue for last year to £600.2 million and an adjusted operating profit of £133.8 million (down 12.8 per cent). It had an adjusted operating profit margin of 22.3 per cent, up from 21.8 per cent, and a net cash balance of £42 million. .


FIRST WOMAN EDITOR OF FT’S THE BANKER The FT’s The Banker magazine has a female editor for the first time in its 95-year history. Joy Macknight has succeeded Brian Caplen who retired after 18 years in the role. She joined The Banker in 2015 as transaction banking and technology editor and was then promoted to deputy editor and managing editor.


FIELDING AND GIGGS RECEIVE DAMAGES Noel Fielding and Rhodri Giggs, Ryan Giggs’ estranged brother, have accepted ‘substantial damages’ from the publisher of the News of the World over phone hacking. A solicitor said Fielding thought articles published in 2006-2010 contained private information.


Nadine White goes to the independent


Huffpost reporter Nadine White has been appointed the first race correspondent for The


Independent. White experienced a large amount of online abuse after equalities minister Kemi


Badenoch tweeted screenshots of the reporter’s emails asking why the minister hadn’t taken part in a video encouraging ethnic minorities to get the Covid-19 vaccine. It is thought to be the first time a news organisation has appointed a correspondent specifically


focused on race. The Independent said it wanted to increase its coverage of issues affecting the lives of people of colour.


theJournalist | 07


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