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LAO file photo of the LA Times building downtown.
Tribune Publishing's unilaterally declared discretionary time off policy caused such a fire storm of negative reaction, and threats by LA Times' staffers to sue, that the company CEO announced late last night he was rescinding the change. LA Times staffers, and those at other Tribune Publishing papers, will continue to earn and accrue vacation days and will have sick days to use during the year. They will not, as proposed, have to go to a supervisor and make a case for paid time off.
Here's the email last night from CEO Jack Griffin, which went out after 9 p.m. on a Friday Chicago time — think there was much corporate hand-wringing about how screwed up this got? LA Times and Tribune posts don't attract as many eyeballs as they used to when the paper's downshift and transition pains were fresh news, but this move by corporate got a lot of attention: more than 400 tweets, 2,000 Facebook likes and coverage in the media.
From: Jack Griffin
Date: November 21, 2014 at 7:13 PM PST
Subject: A Message From Jack Griffin
Colleagues:Last week, a Company communication went out regarding a new Discretionary Time Off policy for exempt employees. The change in policy outlined in the note created confusion and concern within the Company. The purpose of this note is to let you know that, based on valuable input from employees, the DTO policy is rescinded.
In reversing the decision, our Company is reverting back to its long-standing policy of providing a fixed amount of vacation, floating holidays and sick days per year based on level and tenure with the Company. Additionally, employees in California will continue to retain accrued and unused vacation.
As we go forward as a new Company, the management team and I will ensure that any significant changes to policy will involve better opportunity for input from many constituencies within the Company.
Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to helping shape our new Company.
Best,
Jack
