Friday, March 18, 2016

Rescue for Television: Outsourcing and TVP [INTERVIEW] – GazetaPrawna.pl

If you got a second chance to make a decision on outsourcing, or would be the same as two years ago?

Every decision is made in certain realities, and it is necessary to take into account the context of the changes implemented then. Disastrous financial results of the Company at the end of 2012 pointed to the need for a radical reorganization. Anachronistic today anyway not changed model of financing public media did not give any hope of changing economic situation Television. While in areas such as property or renegotiate contracts with selected suppliers can enter almost standard algorithmic actions, so much in the realm of affecting employment, it was necessary to develop a special solution. One that secured the needs of TV (such as to guarantee the continuity of emissions and, above all, attractive content as possible), but at the same time it would be possible not severe for employees covered by the changes. Of course, we had the ability to launch the redundancies. I still maintain, however, that at that time, they would lead to a much more drastic consequences for the workers covered by them. Those employees practically overnight landed on the pavement.



So, paradoxically, outsourcing was to protect workers from the immediate loss of jobs and give them time to find a new one?

The project was not easy, but let protect TVP before the economic crash, and workers from the consequences of redundancies . His opponents, looking through the lens of their particular interests, they do not want to see that implemented the solution avoided the immediate release of more than 400 employees and allowed them to continue employment for 13 months, under the same conditions as TVP. During this time, employees can also receive one-time financial support for the development of their business. More than half of the 400 employees who passed the Leasing Team decided to set up his company, taking an average of approx. 40,000 zł financial support (individually, were in excess of the amount up to 100 thousand. Zł).



Where did the idea for an external company? You are guided you an example from abroad, or another company?

The idea of ​​the separation of part of the plant operating outside the structure of TVP and the transfer of a portion of the tasks to an external company came after analyzing the foreign reports on the state of employment in the media and analysis models business entities operating in the Polish market. These reports clearly highlighted the growing independence of creative professions such as journalists or editors. The specificity of Polish Television as a medium of public necessitated the development of more individualized solutions.



What was considered in the tender? What were the most important criteria for choosing an outsourcing company?

The tender took into account a number of criteria, which have to meet the contractor of the project. Starting from the appropriate expert support (it was necessary to demonstrate the group of experts with experience in HR projects and television production), by demonstrating the consistency of activities with the activities of TVP, ending on standard components as niezaleganie of current receivables in relation to the Treasury and a stable financial situation of the contractor ( We verified the financial documents of contractors). In addition to these elements, the jury had to consider a number of regulations under existing laws. In particular, the Public Procurement Law, which require contracting the preparation of the contract in such a way that it is not discriminatory in relation to potential contractors.

And what, minimum two groups of contractors should be considered when implementing a similar project? Firstly, companies with facilities and experience in the media industry, and secondly those operating in the labor market. Limiting the circle of performers at the very beginning of the proceedings, would lead to a breach of the law. Therefore, it was decided, of course, say very simply that the contractors of the project can be both companies operating in the media market, but with the right facilities to experts in the field of human capital management, as well as companies operating in the labor market, but which demonstrate that they have qualified personnel with experience in television production. These assumptions in fully confirmed, because the tenders stood performers from these two sectors, and ultimately selected contractor LeasingTeam, fully confirmed his preparation for the project. Let me remind you again that at my request the tender watched the service: ABW and CBA, which raised no objections to the award procedure.



How many people / institutions deal was consulted and how long it took her to prepare?

Preparation of the final version of the agreement, which was concluded with LeasingTeam took more than half a year. He worked on her team of more than 20 persons, both TVP and external entities. To the tender committee has been invited as a representative of the Workers TVP SA, but ultimately Employee Council announced that none of its representatives will not take part in the preparation of the project.



Are you sure came to the Lord, concerned voices of journalists. Is retrospect not think that they were right, but for fear of outsourcing?

In fact, there have been interventions in the cases of individuals who were subject to restructuring. They were both personal interventions employees and persons performing public functions in the defense of individuals. There were also parliamentary questions whether writings representatives of various institutions and organizations. Most often, however, the person endorsing the letter, did not have a full picture of the situation and almost always when I explained in detail why stemmed need for the project and how it is planned and at a later stage, realized, took the reasons set with understanding. They do not take longer following the intervention.
I think the biggest concerns about outsourcing associated with a breach of existing, often inappropriate to the realities of the twenty-first century habits of some employees and quite characteristic attitude manifested among some employees of state owned companies. The ageless belief of belonging to one company.
Many people critical of outsourcing does not know, and can actually do not know that from the moment when I started to work on TV, the public television cooperated on different principles hundreds of journalists. Their fate somehow nobody bothered. No one notes that the restructuring to a certain extent, cleaned up and improved their situation. It was a violation of the interests of the privileged in a sense, a group of salaried workers provoked emotions.



In a letter to journalists at the conclusion of the agreement assured you that for two years have guaranteed employment. Meanwhile, there are over two years, and three-quarters of the transferred employees already LeasingTeam no. Most of them have been released or in some way forced to leave. Why did it happen?

It’s not quite so. Always I emphasized that the agreement with the contractor will be concluded for two years, and the warranty terms and conditions of employment will apply for the first twelve months – these were the objectives of the project. This promise kept my hundred percent. Another thing is that in the first year of the project nearly 210 employees set up their business, as I mentioned earlier. Thus, half of the employees affected by the transition to LT parted with the company on its own initiative. They decided to set up their business, allowing them to obtain financial support from the start (remember that this was an average of 40 thousand. Zł, and sometimes even more than one hundred thousand). From what I heard, the LT is still approx. 80 employees. Thus, approx. 120 people parted with Leasing Team as a result of termination by the employer, or at its request.



Tests employee competencies do not have much in common with the profession of journalist and other rules introduced by LeasingTeam for corporate fashion. Why TV gave us not having completely connection with the media completely free hand in the management of the team? Is it, however, was not a mistake?

I have already mentioned criteria for good performer and once again emphasize that a year of cooperation LeasingTeam with TVP (the time when I served as chairman of the board) have never been to an emergency emissions due mismanagement of the work of persons employed in the LT. The competence tests are used all over the world. Also in the media industry.



Is something in connection with that contract you regret? Or something, but in retrospect did not work out, have been omitted, written not as it should be?

The objectives pursued by the project were implemented (at least for the time in which I served as chairman of the board). Of course, there were situations that require ongoing reaction. The agreement is fair and although it was unprecedented, it takes into account the smallest details of cooperation, so that the changes have been introduced in accordance with the planned schedule. If anything I regret, it’s that we were not destined to complete the project to end in such a way as expected. Certainly przedłużylibyśmy agreement with LT, so as not to tear off cooperation with the people that there well, fairly and honestly work, and do not intend to conduct business. I regret a lack of consistency in the implementation by my successors the whole wide restructuring program.



Do not you think that outsourcing meant that TVP very lost its image? She lost so many good journalists, editors, graphic designers, etc. People who have many years “doing a good job” for Polish TV?

The changes are never easy, it’s true. Of course we had doubts in finding solutions and developing a restructuring plan. However, some situations require managers to make difficult and unpopular decisions. Such decisions are justified only if they are designed to provide good throughout the organization, although they may require changes in some of its areas. Outsourcing was one of such decisions. As mentioned earlier, the contemporary economic situation TVP require action, which were about to be or not to be public television. As a management team, we are faced with the need to find solutions – I remember that outsourcing was only a narrow slice of a broad restructuring – that saved Television, while guaranteeing protection of the social needs of employees who are these changes have been accorded. A project was, which allowed, in spite of changes in the formula, to maintain cooperation with all precious people, including those who took over the process of change. I basically did, though sometimes for those interested in was difficult. We can not forget that the image of Polish Television for decades built not only full-time employees, but hundreds and even thousands of contributors who – quote – “did a good job” for TVP.



Currently, the proceedings brought by TVP ZUS those who stated that, despite the conclusion of the outsourcing contract and transfer its employees, TVP should pay all premiums. Is the cause of this may be unclear provision in the contract and the division of responsibilities between LeasingTeam and TVP?

The results of this inspection were transferred after my departure from TVP. Therefore, I do not know all the details, and only the most important thesis. I emphasize, however, that contributions to Social Security still be properly discharged by LeasingTeam. Under current law, the employer is obliged to discharge them. From what I know, LT fully discharging this obligation, and so all the money owed to Social Security were placed. What’s more, if I know the LT, after the completion of the inspection ZUS, the control conducted the Tax Office, which confirmed the correctness of settlements LT with tax authorities and clearly pointed out that the obligation to pay social security contributions was built on the side of LeasingTeam, stating thus, that the employer acquired people LT remains. From what I remember the agreement with LT clearly regulate these elements, and the confirmation adopted in this regard assumptions are mentioned control IRS. As I know, the matter is now the subject of legal proceedings.



Do you think about going back to the media, whether it’s a closed chapter?

I have many years of experience in journalism, the media management in the advertising industry and also in the formation of law. So I think there will be opportunities to use this knowledge to work at the university (for almost 10 years I have been associated with the Collegium Civitas), as well as business expertise.



If you could say a few words from each other as if their former employees sounded in March 2016 year?

thank them once again for working together. We managed to make a great revolution: TV moved from analog to digital era. In unfavorable conditions, and at the expense of many sacrifices we succeeded in stabilizing the economic situation. Also we managed to realize a lot of valuable software projects – such as the TV series “Bodo”, which now attracts many viewers to television. The only pity is that the effects of the efforts of many hundreds of people are now so easily destroyed.

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