Definition

Qualification Requirements

Circulation classified as verified, employee copies will qualify as such if the following requirements are met:

1. The recipients are:
   • Employees on the regular payroll (full or part-time) of the newspaper during the reporting period.
   • Employees of subsidiaries on the regular payroll and are actively engaged in the production or distribution of the newspaper.
   • Independent contractors (agents) currently involved in delivering the newspaper to subscribers.
   • Correspondents contributing at least one article per month that is printed in the newspaper.
2. There is a limit of one copy per day, per recipient. If an individual is employed or contracted with more than one publication, only one newspaper may claim an employee copy for that individual.
3. The copies must be easily accessible to the recipients (made available for use or pick up in the normal work environment or delivered to retirees’ homes).
4. Records are maintained by the publication to confirm the distribution of the newspapers and active status of employment, retirement, contractor or correspondent.

Financial Transactions

ABC’s qualification review and audit processes won’t govern or consider financial transactions related to verified distribution (invoices, payment, rates charged, etc.). The focus of ABC qualification and classification for verified circulation is confirmation of employee eligibility and availability of copies.

If an employee, retiree, agent or correspondent orders and pays for a home-delivered subscription, those copies qualify and may be classified as individually paid, home delivery on ABC documents.