Sun-Times Reviews

Pros

Good history of news reporting.
Part of Sun-Times Media.
Broad reach

Cons

Due to the financial situation of Sun-Times Media there are currently no full time positions being offered

Pros

The big name recognition is great. It can help you move from entry level to mid level if you use it the right way.

Cons

Honestly the company mission seems unclear to me and it seems like the different departments don't work together to make the company better. Everyone is nice for sure but the bottom line would be better served by a little conflict to encourage growth and honesty.

Pros

Anything you wanted to learn was available if you wanted it. Peers were helpful and committed to seeing a paper get out every day, no matter the hurdles. If you helped get passed the problem, peers and end users were appreciative and complimentary. Never a dull day.

Cons

Long hours with little or no recompense. Very little in the way of recognition of effort and personal sacrifice from higher management. Pay increases and or promotion only to the selected few. Labor reductions only to the bottom of the ladder; very little labor reductions at the top of ladder. Corporate structure is management heavy.

Advice to Senior Management

Come see what is really happening in the front line trenches. Your generals aren't providing you with the actual information you should have to be making the decisions that have been made. Companies can't be run by looking at the spreadsheet only. Improve your product rather than reduce labor force to stay profitable. Return to local news where Sun-Times made it mark.

Pros

Good people work there, good benefits.

Cons

late in the year around budget time is not so fun.

Advice to Senior Management

listen to the lower level people that do the work. This should be for any company.

Pros

In spite of the immense challenges currently facing the newspaper industry, the Sun-Times News Group is an excellent place to work (if you don't focus on the uncertainties). Almost every colleague I encounter seems incredibly dedicated to helping the company succeed; this kind of commitment creates strong teamwork and a "we're in this together" attitude.

Cons

The company is for sale and running out of cash, so job security does not exist right now. Most details of the sale process are not public knowledge (understandably so, but it can be a challenge to stay focused).

Advice to Senior Management

Once we move beyond the sale process with new ownership, remember that much of the success and improvement we have seen recently can be attributed to the renewed sense of teamwork, both within and across departments. Put a plan in place that keeps all departments working closely with each other, assisting each other, and contributing to a cohesive organization in the future.

Pros

newspaper industry in state of total chaos means lots of opportunity

Cons

newspaper industry in state of total chaos means lots of difficulties and challenges

Advice to Senior Management

better feedback loops needed with front line staff as well as customers and clients and readers. Break the bubble.

Pros

The people were wonderful to work with. The people were why I stayed with the company for so many years. Excellent vacation benefits.

Cons

Very poor decisions by the upper management. Departments affected by important changes were not consulted regarding those changes. Lack of communication between upper management and employees and lack of cooperation between management. Not enough recognition of excellent work by management. This was a newspaper I used to be proud to work at, but it turned into just another company focused on profits only instead of what would be best for the paper and its readers and advertisers.

Advice to Senior Management

Get the opinions/feedback of the people doing the work before making huge changes in the workflow or software used. Get to know how things get done in the trenches and who is actually doing the work. Recognize and reward excellent work.