New Republic reverses, says all part-time jobs will include benefits after social media backlash

The New Republic will include benefits for all part-time positions after a job listing that offered none was excoriated on social media over the weekend, editor Chris Lehmann announced Monday.

{mosads}The initial listing for a deputy editor for the magazine’s vertical on inequality includes a note reading “This is a part-time role, requiring 29.5 hours per week, and does not include benefits.”

The listing was met with sharp criticism online, including from the magazine’s editorial union.

Wow.

The @NewRepublic wants a new editor to tackle inequality by, I guess, experiencing it?

29.5 hours seems specifically chosen to avoid the legal obligation to care for this person.

Do better. https://t.co/p20wqaMPNl

— Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites) June 24, 2019

So, The New Republic is hiring a part-time deputy Inequality Editor who will “raise hell” going into the 2020 election, edit between three and four stories per week, work 29.5 hours of a week, and is ineligible for healthcare. This is a bad idea. https://t.co/J7LsE0P4rZ

— Evette Dionne (@freeblackgirl) June 23, 2019

media in a nutshell. @newrepublic is launching an “inequality” vertical and wants to hire someone to essentially work full-time (29.5 hours/week) at part-time pay with no benefits https://t.co/Lh5OWkBcRh

— Ella Dawson is bisexual ️‍ (@brosandprose) June 24, 2019

Like many of you, we’re disappointed with TNR’s recent job postings and will be discussing this Wednesday as we continue to fight for our first contract.

— The New Republic Union (@tnrunion) June 24, 2019

Following the criticism, Lehmann confirmed that going forward, the job now included benefits and that all other permanent part-time jobs would as well. 

From my unsecure location on vacation, I’m delighted to report that the TNR job listing that social media made infamous today NOW INCLUDES BENEFITS, as all permanent PT jobs at the magazine will going forward. cc @AnandWrites

— Chris Lehmann (@lehmannchris) June 24, 2019