Borders cuts more jobs

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Borders Group announced that it has reduced its corporate work force by another 136 positions, which were eliminated effective Feb. 19. The majority of the jobs, which represent about 12% of the corporate work force but less than 1% of the company's total work force, are based at the company's headquarters in Ann Arbor.

According to the company, the work force reduction was spread across virtually all business areas, including marketing, human resources, field management and corporate sales. The reductions were made at various ranks, ranging from entry level to middle management. Affected employees are being offered transition pay, severance and job placement assistance.

"While reducing payroll is never easy and we respect the impact it has on employees and their families, it is one of the necessary steps we must take along with other non-payroll expense reductions to help get this company back on track financially," said CEO Ron Marshall. "In this time of transition, I greatly admire the tenacity and focus that employees at all levels here have shown as we drive to significantly reduce expenses and bring other key financial measures in line. We will continue to move forward with deliberate speed to make the changes required to get Borders back on firm financial footing."