Mongoose Redundancies

[SJE]

Its been reported (and confirmed) over on RPG.net that editor Richard Ford and prolific writer Gareth Hanrahan (who seems to have written nearly every Mongoose book I have) have been made redundant by Mongoose.

How does this tie in with the mostly upbeat State of Mongoose of only a few months ago which reported a fairly positive year? Has the recession affected Mongoose or is it due to some Crisis of Treachery event or just downsizing mandated from the larger Rebellion group?

SJE

 

[AndrewW]

Both work on Traveller products...

They where also recently looking to hire another.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Nothing to panic about!

Our release schedule for 2010 required less full-time staff, and some costs needed to be cut. You'll find the Mongoose as prolific as ever this year.

 

[Robin]

Nothing to panic about!

Our release schedule for 2010 required less full-time staff, and some costs needed to be cut. You'll find the Mongoose as prolific as ever this year.

I hope that most fans were more concerned about those who'd lost their jobs than about Mongoose's publishing schedule.


Regards

Robin

 

[Mikko Leho]

I hope that most fans were more concerned about those who'd lost their jobs than about Mongoose's publishing schedule.

That was the general reaction over at RPG.net. Nobody voiced any concerns about Mongoose's schedule. Few are considering boycotting Mongoose.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Few are considering boycotting Mongoose.

And that is about the most ridiculous thing I have heard. It presumes a) we enacted redundancies for our own perverse enjoyment and b) no one gives a fig for the rest of the staff members - some people have lost their jobs, so everyone else should too, right?

I would humbly suggest they apply the same philosophy to the likes of General Motors and other large corporations before taregting any moral outrage on an RPG company. . .

Frankly, a better rationale as to whether people should buy our books or not, is whether they are any good and suitable for your gaming group.

 

[Robin]

Few are considering boycotting Mongoose.

And that is about the most ridiculous thing I have heard. It presumes a) we enacted redundancies for our own perverse enjoyment and b) no one gives a fig for the rest of the staff members - some people have lost their jobs, so everyone else should too, right?

I would certainly agree that it's not a helpful response.

Regards

Robin

 

[MongooseMatt]

Indeed.

However, for those who are concerned, I can say that those leaving Mongoose have all been offered pretty much immediate freelance work.

 

[SJE]

In the State of Mongoose you mentioned that you were up to 14 full time employees in 2009. How many will you have in 2010 when the redundancies are complete?

Thx.

SJE

 

[Tay]

Would people rather see Mongoose struggle on, and run out of money ( not saying they would).

Redundancies are a part of life. All companies do it. When work is thin on the ground, or times are hard you reduce your overheads. I.e. Salaries, which means TAX & Employers NI, and various other overheads which are attributed to staff. Having them stay on as Freelancers makes sense. You pay for what you get, and don't pay for when there is no or little work.

Stupid comments about boycotting companies because they let someone go, is just stupid. Look around you. Would you boycot shops, for laying people off?..what about the banks?...or other industries?.

I talk from experience, having run my own company and laid staff off, and worked for companies and been made redundant.

 

[Vile]

That was the general reaction over at RPG.net. Nobody voiced any concerns about Mongoose's schedule. Few are considering boycotting Mongoose.

Before everyone gets to excited, I read the above as "nobody really considered boycotting Mongoose", which sounded much more reasonable. Did I read this wrong? Are there actually people who think that would make sense? I ask because I don't really have the time or patience for RPG,net.

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

I must admit that I read the original post as meaning "no one is seriously thinking of a boycott"—which as a sentiment, is not at all confrontational.

 

[Mikko Leho]

Few people (two or three if recall correctly) voiced their discontent at RPG.net, which has nothing to do with my or forum majority's feelings. I even bought MRQ2 today. My comment in a nutshell:

Matt: "I hope no one is worried about our release schedule."

Me: "No one was worried about your schedule, everyone was concerned with the two individuals made redundant."

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Gareth at least seems to be looking forward to working freelance for more people than just Mongoose. So, if they were offered "freelance" Mongoose work and they pick up non-Mongoose work, then things might work out fine for everyone.

 

[Jon Brazer Enterprises]

However, for those who are concerned, I can say that those leaving Mongoose have all been offered pretty much immediate freelance work.

This I can vouch for. I've discussed freelance work with two such members. Turns out I cannot pay enough. I'm hoping that I'll be big enough next year to be able to meet their minimum acceptable pay.

 

[n815e]

I suppose an occasional pay per piece is great comfort for those who lost regular paychecks.

 

[McKickaha]

I suppose an occasional pay per piece is great comfort for those who lost regular paychecks.

Well its better than no check at all, an inevitable work situation I am personally going through at the moment.

Life is life and you adapt.

 

[ozchandler]

i can atest to the fact that layoffs are an undesirable fact of life for both the employee and employer. i hope all parties come through the ordeal with brighter futures and in good shape.

 

[jolt]

I work for a public school system in Ohio and it's tough. We have a levy going on the ballot in May and, even if it passes, 18 people will lose their jobs and many others will get shuffled around to less desireable positions. And it's only that good because almost 40 staff took an early buyout retirement option and all 3 unions agreed to a 0% pay increase for the next year.

Times are tough now. I feel sorry for the people who have jobs that are seasonal in nature.

Best of luck to all the freelancers out there.

jolt