Associated Press Reviews

Pros

The AP prides itself on its accuracy, its an unbiased press company and gets the story right before going to print or transmission.

Cons

Long working hours are to be expected in this industry however they are appreciated and usually compensated in some way by management.
Long term travel and being away from loved ones for weeks/months at a time are an automatic expectancy in the business.

Advice to Senior Management

As we are in the communicating business we need to learn to communicate a little better ourselves at all levels in the company.

Pros

great mission, very important organization, good people

Cons

lack of strategy, poor communication

Pros

Prestigious organization; reporters/photographers have highest ethical standards; great H/R people; excellent staff, colleagues, co-workers, who are also decent human beings; most staff have been here a LONG time; not a lot of turnover as in other industries; never boring; pride in news quality, global recognition; some managers and supervisors superb

Cons

Frequent reorgs; looming layoffs, although growing in some departments; work loads enormous for almost all positions; internal bureacracy and communication issues have to be experienced to be believed; pay for some positions far below norm; benefits for non-guild poor, expensive; depending on location and managers, work atmosphere and environment can be great or horrible; news is usually depressing - hard to be around continually

Advice to Senior Management

Direct efforts to sales and new sales; restructure pay and benefits to be more competitive; create employee recognition programs, bonuses, incentive plans to balance low pay and poor benefits. Institute reverse evaluations - staff reviews/evaluates supervisors/managers, on up the chain; provide mandatory management training to managers; customer service training mandatory for people working frequently with internal depts.

Pros

The benefits have been very good; medical, etc. However, shifting

Cons

The news business is temperamental at best, so one worries about layoffs.

Pros

Dedication to a dying industry. team commitment for a shared purpose

Cons

24/7 job. Must always be available. Saying no is frowned uponl

Advice to Senior Management

Stop promoting the same 6 people and truly mentor those who have the ambition, if not yet the brilliance.

Pros

Good company to work for.

Cons

salary increases are kind of low.

Advice to Senior Management

Lack of Tuition reimbursement

Pros

The AP is a solid place to work. My colleagues are smart and dedicated, and I respect their work.

Cons

It is unclear why some managers get promoted without the skills for the job they are taking. I think there is some belief in growing into a position.

Pros

While this company is struggling with continued transformation, it is open to trying new things. It is a very stable company that gives you the flexibility to succeed. People stay for a very long time, and ultimately the company is in a good position in the industry.

Cons

As many big companies, there is a lot of bureaucracy. There is also no longer term strategy than past this year. And things get spun up, take all our energy, and rarely see the light of day.

Pros

best news organisation, flexible work hours and good brand name

Cons

lack of recognition and clear career progression path. less pay compared to market and now benefits (pension plan) also changing.

Advice to Senior Management

It's 2011 now.

Pros

Prestigious; company known throughout the world. Opportunity to work with best-class writers and photographers. Employees of all levels seem to love journalism - career choice for life. Most people on editorial side have been with the company 10-20 years and more. Exciting to witness news being researched and reported. Pride in news-reporting ethics. Editorial staff has guild protection. Individual bureaus work well together.

Cons

High stress work environment. Depending on department, internal communication can be poor. Some roles pay far below standard for field. Power has been removed from management levels. No guild representation for non-editorial roles. Depending on specific role and location, no discernable chance to professionally develop, no promotions, no pay increases, no incentives, no job security, no lay-off notice. Issues, however, may be industry-wide.

Advice to Senior Management

Try to retain key staff. Reward dedication, hard work. Mandatory customer service and communication skills training for non-editorial depts with high contact. Offer security, advancement opportunities. Rethink lay-off procedures; possible to do in a more positive manner.