New York Public Radio (NYPR) will reduce its workforce by approximately 12%, affecting around 40 employees, due to significant financial pressures. CEO LaFontaine Oliver informed staff of the decision in an email Tuesday, attributing the layoffs to “economic headwinds on multiple fronts.”
Since December, NYPR has implemented several cost-cutting measures, including a hiring freeze, canceling its fiscal year 2024 internship program, eliminating senior leadership bonuses for the year, and suspending its spring promotions cycle. Despite these efforts, Oliver stated, “As we feared, these steps have not been enough.”
The organization has experienced a “sharp reduction in sponsorship revenue” and a “membership revenue dip from the pandemic bump,” according to Oliver. In addition to the staff cuts, NYPR will eliminate the majority of its open positions.
Specific departments affected by the layoffs were not disclosed. Oliver assured that communication with impacted team members and the broader organization would occur by the end of next week.