Tribune introduces 'discretionary time off'

[deskslave]

Which will allow employees to take time off as and when required, but without a fixed amount of PTO accrued.

Uh huh. Yep. Sure.

At Tribune Publishing, we need to focus on the value people add while at work and not on procedures that limit their creativity or potential. A performance-driven culture rewards results. So, rather than allotting a specific number of vacation or PTO days annually, we will permit exempt employees to take the amount of time off they need for purposes such as vacation, travel, and non-extended illness or injury, subject to the professional judgment and to the performance expectations of their supervisor. Those performance expectations include providing high-quality content and value for our readers and advertisers, meeting business needs and contributing to the overall success of our company.

As always, future career opportunities are assessed based on your performance and potential.

http://jimromenesko.com/2014/11/14/tribune-publishing-implements-discretionary-time-off-policy/?fb_comment_id=fbc_558166560949531_558174410948746_558174410948746#f44d442f8

 

[Ace]

At a corporate level they find if there is no set time off, people tend not to take any vacations.

It shifts from being an expectation to being perceived as making you look like you're not serious about your job.

 

[playthrough]

On the surface, I like this policy. If there wasn't so much (deserved) skepticism in the media companies these days, maybe others would.

But the key is having a supervisor who gets it.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

I've always been willing to put in extra hours gratus and even extra days sometimes, but I take all the vacation, comp days and holidays I'm owed. My wife, who is not in journalism, never takes all the vacation she is due and usually works an hour or two per day on vacation.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

"subject to the professional judgment and approval of their supervisor"

There lies the rub. An employee has to hope they have a good relationship with their boss and/or they're not so incompetent that they are able to get along without the employee for a week.

 

[LongTimeListener]

"subject to the professional judgment and approval of their supervisor"

There lies the rub. An employee has to hope they have a good relationship with their boss and/or they're not so incompetent that they are able to get along without the employee for a week.

Shouldn't be a problem for news siders. Nothing ever happens over there anyway.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

"subject to the professional judgment and approval of their supervisor"

There lies the rub. An employee has to hope they have a good relationship with their boss and/or they're not so incompetent that they are able to get along without the employee for a week.

Shouldn't be a problem for news siders. Nothing ever happens over there anyway.

Hey, even newssiders need a break from those 6 p.m. deadlines.

 

[PaperDoll]

Does this mean high school writers could disappear for the entire summer? As long as s/he notifies a supervisor at least two weeks in advance, of course.

 

[User 11148]

I'm not sure about this, but aren't "exempt employees" salaried (i.e., managerial) ones? If that's the case, doesn't seem that this policy would apply to line employees (e.g., reporters, etc.).

 

[MileHigh]

Nice way to not have to pay out lump sum vacation totals when you leave the company ... or when they lay you off.

It should be noted this is for salaried employees only.

 

[Double Down]

On the surface, I like this policy. If there wasn't so much (deserved) skepticism in the media companies these days, maybe others would.

But the key is having a supervisor who gets it.

So you've never worked for the Tribune Co., I see.

 

[FileNotFound]

Nice way to not have to pay out lump sum vacation totals when you leave the company ... or when they lay you off.

Bingo. Also helps when said layoff time comes around to determine those who are "really dedicated team players" and those who could just as well work somewhere else.

 

[LongTimeListener]

This could be gold for anyone who doesn't give a ****. Office Space II.

 

[Desk_dude]

Salary employees are those that are exempt from overtime. That not only includes supervising editors but senior reporters and columnists.

 

[Bronco77]

A friend of mine with a Tribune paper says that shortly after this policy was announced, his supervisor assembled everybody who reported to him for a meeting. The supervisor reminded the group of how shorthanded the department is (as if they needed reminding) and said that everyone is to assume that even under the new policy, they're getting the same amount of time off next year that they did this year (for example, five-plus years with the company equals three weeks of vacation time). Then the boss told them that anyone who asks for more than that is likely to have the request rejected unless there's an illness or an emergency. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[1HPGrad]

This wasn't Ma Herald's policy, but it certainly was the reality.

 

[LongTimeListener]

A friend of mine with a Tribune paper says that shortly after this policy was announced, his supervisor assembled everybody who reported to him for a meeting. The supervisor reminded the group of how shorthanded the department is (as if they needed reminding) and said that everyone is to assume that even under the new policy, they're getting the same amount of time off next year that they did this year (for example, five-plus years with the company equals three weeks of vacation time). Then the boss told them that anyone who asks for more than that is likely to have the request rejected unless there's an illness or an emergency. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Wait. So that paper is only giving employees the same amount of vacation as they had last year?

Those sons of *******. Burn the editor's house down.

 

[schiezainc]

Who needs a vacation when you get to cover sports or news for a living???? You get to go to games people!!!! For free!!!

 

[Bud_Bundy]

Just sent out Friday night from CEO Jack Griffin:

"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."

 

[Mark2010]

Who needs a vacation when you get to cover sports or news for a living???? You get to go to games people!!!! For free!!!

Or sit on the copy desk, draw boxes on the computer and try to think up puns for headlines.