on November 8, 2024, 1:28 pm
Guardian editor Katharine Viner has been busy since Trump stormed into the White House. She penned a swift begging article yesterday asking the Guardian’s hundreds of readers to sustain its “well-funded independent journalism”…
In an email to all staff, Viner stresses that “a Trump win could reverberate for a million years.” She says she knows “the result has been very upsetting for many colleagues” and urges UK staff to “contact your American colleagues to offer your support” because “they will be most directly affected by the result.” The Guardian has always been one massive shoulder for panicked progressives to cry on…
Viner goes further and generously offers: “If you want to talk about it, your manager and members of the leadership team are all available, as the People team. There is also free access to free support services, which I’ve outlined at the end of this email.” UK staff can use a 24/7 online GP, mental health support and “virtual wellbeing tools.” Americans have not one but two Employee Assistance Programmes to help. Apparently staff in Australia can get access to “confidential, impartial professional counselling and support to all employees.” For those currently sobbing into their Vegemite sandwhiches…
Something tells Guido all the counselling in the world won’t cure them of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Read Viner’s full email to staff below:
“What a dramatic night. As we report on the outcome of the US election, it is clear that the journalism we do has a crucial role to play in this moment. It has never been more challenging, or more vital. It is also a big responsibility.
The election has exposed alarming fault lines on many fronts, which we will be examining in the weeks and months ahead. We will look at how the result affects people’s lives in the US; how it affects global stability and security; what it means for the climate. (Bill McKibben wrote for us that a Trump win could reverberate for a million years.)
Our readers across the world will come to us to understand how this happened, what it means, and what to do. They will come to us for clarity, and imagination, and even for hope.
Our ownership, our mission and our team of journalists mean we are very well-placed to deliver for them.
I know the result has been very upsetting for many colleagues. Our US teams in particular have covered the election with brilliant reporting; they have done it with great commitment and focus, serving readers in America and across the world.
They will be most directly affected by the result. If you’re not in the US, do contact your American colleagues to offer your support.
It’s upsetting for many others, too. If you want to talk about it, your manager and members of the leadership team are all available, as the People team. There is also free access to free support services, which I’ve outlined at the end of this email.
Take care,
Kath
Support:
In the UK:
We provide access to the Employee Assistance Programme supported by WeCare, a portal that provides a 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing tools. The scheme can be accessed by phone on [REDACTED] in the UK.
In the US:
There are two EAPS available through the BalanceWorks program at Paychex and the WorkLifeMatters program at The Guardian Life Insurance Company.
To access Balance Works go
to [REDACTED].com, select MEMBER LOG IN and Enter [REDACTED] in the company ID box.
To access WorkLifeMatters (Guardian Life): Go to [REDACTED].com
Access code: [REDACTED]
Call [REDACTED]
In Australia:
Guardian Australia provides access to confidential, impartial professional counselling and support to all employees through the provision of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by AccessEAP.
Phone number: [REDACTED]”
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