An Iowa Tradition
The state of Iowa is 55,965 square miles, with a population of 2.8 million, approximately the area of Florida and the population of Colorado. The Des Moines Register, one of few statewide newspapers in the nation, serves this entire expanse, meaning that people read it from Sioux City to Burlington. This gives Iowa "a focus," according to one historian, and "a singular voice in a way that other states haven't had." For more than 150 years, The Des Moines Register has mirrored and reflected the growth of the city that has shared its name. At the same time, we're connecting the lives of Iowans with timely, truthful and clear news coverage that not only informs, educates and entertains, but also enriches the community.
The Des Moines Register is published 365 days a year, setting an exhilarating pace for the company. We enjoy wide-ranging influence throughout the state, and a unique relationship with our readers.
The Des Moines Register has been an all-Iowa paper for most of this century. It is a descendant of the Iowa Star, started by Barlow Granger in 1849, and the Gazette, started about a year later. The Gazette eventually was renamed the Register, and the Star merged with several other papers to become the Leader. These two papers merged in 1902 to form the Register and Leader.
In 1903, Gardner Cowles, Sr. purchased the Register and Leader. He was determined to build it into a newspaper for the entire state. Cowles acquired the Des Moines Tribune in 1908. The Tribune was published as an evening newspaper until it was merged with the morning Register in the fall of 1982 to make the larger, full-service daily paper that Iowans know today. In July of 1985, The Des Moines Register was sold to Gannett Co., Inc.
The Register has changed a great deal since its days as the Iowa Star. But one thing that won’t change is its commitment to quality and to the unique needs, values and personality of the state it serves.
In order to bring the state of Iowa the best possible coverage, The Register has a long tradition of excellent “enterprise” reporting. As a result, The Register has won 15 Pulitzer Prizes. Within the Gannett family of newspapers, The Register has also been recognized as the Best in Gannett in 1990, 1987, and 1986.
In 1984, The Register was named by Time Magazine as one of the 10 best newspapers in the country. Time described The Register as one of Iowa’s most powerful and respected institutions.
Our related weekly and monthly publications meet the needs of the communities they serve. The Des Moines Register owns the following non-daily publications:
Iowa Parent and Family
Fifty Plus Lifestyles
The Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune
The Altoona Herald-Mitchellville Index
The Pioneer-Republican of Iowa County
Williamsburg’s Journal Tribune
The North English Record
Brooklyn Chronicle
The Belle Plaine Union
The South Benton Star-Press
The Montezuma Republican
Grinnell Pennysaver
Medical Coverage
Comprehensive health insurance is available at an employee rate on the first of the month following 90 days of employment. Coverage is available to the employee, spouse and dependent children as defined by the plan. Medical coverage includes prescription, mental health, substance abuse, and dental, vision and hearing provisions.
Employees who do not enroll themselves or dependents in a medical plan within 30 days of eligibility, and do not have a qualifying event will not be able to receive this benefit until the open enrollment period.
Gannett 401(k) Savings Plan
The Gannett 401(k) Savings Plan is an easy way to save through the convenience of payroll deduction. You elect to contribute between 1% and 20% of your pay on a pre-tax basis for investment in any or all of ten funds. The contributions you make, up to the first 6% of your pay, are eligible for a 50% match from the Company in Gannett stock. You do not pay tax on your contributions, investment earnings or Company match until you receive a distribution from the plan. (The Gannett 401(k) Savings Plan can also accept rollovers from other 401(k) plans.)
As soon as possible after the date of hire, all eligible employees receive a 401(k) enrollment package and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) in the mail at their home address. As soon as you receive your PIN, you may enroll in the plan by calling Benefits Express at (800)715-401k. Your payroll deductions will begin as soon as administratively possible. Benefits Express is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Benefits representatives are available to assist you between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday. After you receive your PIN, you may also access information on the Plan via the Plan’s web site at http://resources.hewitt.com/gannett.
Gannett Retirement Plan
Employees working more than 1,000 hours per year will earn pension credit under the Gannett Retirement Plan. The plan provides a benefit payable when you become eligible to retire (in the form of either a lump sum or a monthly annuity) and is in addition to your 401(k) and Social Security benefits. Your pension is based on your Gannett service and final average earnings.
If you are vested when you leave the company, the plan provides you with a lump sum payout or a monthly income for life under the Gannett Retirement Plan. You earn a year of vesting service each year in which you work at least 1,000 hours. Your right to benefits under the pension plan is fully vested after five years of service, beginning the first of the month coinciding with or following your date of employment. How much you receive from the plan depends on your credited service with the Company and on your final average earnings. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the plan, and the cost is borne entirely by the company. See the Gannett Retirement Plan brochure for more details.
Gannett Spending Account
The Gannett Spending Account (GSA) is an efficient way for employees to pay for covered health care expenses not reimbursed under the medical plan and for dependent care expenses, such as day care, on a pre-tax basis. Participation is available the first of the month following 90 days of employment. See the Summary Plan Description for details.
Life Insurance
Coverage under the company-provided life insurance program is equal to one times your annual basic compensation (including discretionary bonuses and/or commissions, if applicable, rounded to the next higher $1,000). This becomes effective on the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
Full-time employees who are terminally ill (deemed by their health care provider to have nine months or less to live) may receive an advance life insurance payment of up to 50% of their company-provided life insurance benefit.
Optional Life Insurance
The Supplemental Life Insurance Plan enables you to purchase additional life insurance through payroll deduction. Voluntary election can be made for additional coverage at one, two or three, or four times your annual compensation to a maximum of $1,000,000. The premium is based on your age and the amount of coverage you select and is paid through payroll deduction.
Spousal/Dependent Life Insurance
Life insurance for your spouse and dependent children is available through payroll deduction.
Accident Insurance
The program provides additional AD&D coverage for you and your family in the event of an accident-related injury or death. You may purchase additional amounts in increments of $10,000 up to a maximum of $500,000. The amount of coverage cannot exceed 10 times your annual compensation (including discretionary bonuses and/or commissions, if applicable). The amount of your family’s benefit is a percentage of your benefit. The premium is paid through payroll deduction.
Income Protection Plan
The Plan provides you with a continuing income if you are unable to work due to medical reasons. The Plan is made up of three separate components that work together for your benefit:
Sick Pay pays 100% of your base salary for up to seven days each year.
Short Term Disability may be paid at 60% or 100% of your compensation, based on your length of service, to a maximum of 25 weeks.
Long Term Disability will then pay you a benefit equal to 60% of your compensation, commencing 26 weeks after the onset of your illness or injury.
Sick leave, STD and LTD benefits are reduced by any other disability benefits payable to you through workers’ compensation and/or Social Security Disability. Maternity-related disabilities are paid in accordance with any other medical condition. At its discretion, the Company may require proof of illness, either in written form from your personal physician or through an examination by a company-provided physician, before payments under this plan are authorized.
The Company pays the full cost of the Income Protection Plan.
Family Leave
Full-time employees are eligible for family and medical leave following completion of 90 days of employment. If you are a part-time employee scheduled to work 1,250 hours a year or more (an average of 24 hours per week); you are eligible to participate following completion of one year of service. The following circumstances may be qualifying circumstances for family leave:
Newborn child,
Newly adopted child or a child newly placed for foster care with the employee,
Child, spouse or parent who has a serious health condition, or
Own serious health condition.
Vacation
The vacation plan provides increasing time off in relation to years of service. Vacation eligibility is as follows:
Beginning the first January after date of hire:80 hours
Beginning the third January after date of hire:120 hours
Beginning the 10th January after date of hire: 160 hours
Beginning the 20th January after date of hire: 200 hours
Holidays
The Register recognizes six holidays per year:
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Floating Holidays
Three floating holidays are provided to eligible employees each year. During the initial year of hire, employees receive three days if started by March 31, two if started by June 30, and one if started by September 30.
Employee Assistance Program
The Register offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help with personal situations that might affect the health or job performance of employees. Confidential assessment, counseling and, in some cases, referral to an outside agency for treatment or specialized help, are among the services provided at no cost.
Leaves of Absence
Various types of leave (such as military, educational, personal) are available upon approval provided for in the company policy manual.
Educational Reimbursement
To support professional development, the Register will share the cost of approved courses for eligible employees after six months of employment. The cost of tuition and books for courses directly relating to an employee’s current job or future job assignments within the company may be reimbursed at 100% up to $1,500 in a calendar year. Contact Human Resources for complete policy.
Newspaper Subscription Discounts
All employees are encouraged to be familiar with the newspaper. Discounted subscriptions are available to eligible employees through payroll deduction.
Advertising Discounts
Classified ads at one half of regular price are offered to all employees and members of their immediate family who reside at the employee’s residence. The discount does not apply to business advertisements. Payment must accompany the ad and the ad must be placed at the Classified Advertising counter in the main lobby.
Stock Purchase Program
The Stock Purchase Plan allows you to purchase Gannett stock through the convenience of payroll deduction. A specified amount that you determine (from $8 to $800.00 monthly) is used by Wells Fargo to purchase shares of Gannett common stock at full price on the open market. You receive a quarterly statement of your account from Wells Fargo. Gannett pays the brokerage and commission fees on purchases made through payroll deduction. You may sign up for this plan at any time.
Health Club Membership Subsidy
After one year of service, eligible employees can receive reimbursement up to 50% of the annual individual membership cost in a YMCA/YWCA (or other qualified health club) to a maximum of $150.00 per year. The reimbursement applies only to the employee’s membership and only one membership per year will be subsidized.
Adoption Assistance Program
The Adoption Assistance Plan helps you pay the expenses incurred in adopting a child. The plan will reimburse 100% of the eligible expenses to a maximum of $2,500. Eligible expenses include agency, legal and court fees and temporary foster care charges.
Employee Mortgage Program
This program is available through Wells Fargo Mortgage Company and offers Gannett employees and their immediate family members a convenient way to secure home financing or mortgage refinancing with competitive interest rates and fees.
Applicants can call 1-800-644-8083,a toll-free number, to apply. Their website address is www.employeemortgage.com/gannett0486.
Scholarship Program
Scholarship applications are accepted each year in December from high school seniors who are children of eligible employees. Three $750.00 scholarships are awarded each year. In addition, Gannett has a scholarship program for high school juniors that are awarded during their senior year.
Credit Union
Employees are eligible to join the Register and Tribune Credit Union. The Credit Union provides various types of savings accounts and loans. It is located on the second floor of the downtown facility and is open between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Gannett Match
Gannett Match is a way to double a donation to a qualified charity. Gannett will match any amount from $50.00 to $10,000.00 total per year for each eligible Gannett participant
The Des Moines Register
715 Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
Email:sdecker@dmreg.com
Phone: 515-284-8559
Fax: 515-286-2526
|
