Scripps Sacks PTO Days

Here is an internal email that was sent to Scripps employees.

This particular email was sent to the staff at KJRH in Tulsa.

One staffer told FTVLive, “Wanted to share this update to our PTO policy. (Which comes down the pike less than a month before it takes effect). Notice the banked holiday process.  Gone. They’re saying you’ll take the holiday pay and like it, rather than getting an additional day off. This feels like a massive cheat. Not what I agreed to when I signed my contract,” the employee said.

It should also be noted that this is the same station where Scripps punted the longtime GM to the curb.

Here is the internal email obtained by FTVLive:

Scripps local media employees:

 Today, we are a company that is more alike than different. To support our similarities and to provide consistency, we are finding ways to create more streamlined processes for employees who want to move into new roles, regardless of where they sit. Today, I am sharing one step in achieving our goal: We are updating the paid time-off (PTO) and holiday policies.

The purpose of changing these policies is to unify the way we offer time off across Scripps and provide more flexibility in how you can use your time. Over the years, we have acquired many companies and stations, leaving their existing policies in place. It is now time to create common time-off practices across Scripps, beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2024, employees will follow the new companywide PTO and holiday policies. For you, the main differences are:

·     You will still accrue PTO on a semi-monthly basis according to tiers based on your years of service with the company. However, the number of days in each tier has changed to provide consistency across Scripps, and a new tier of 30 PTO days after 25 years of service has been added.

·     You will be able to carry over up to five accrued but unused PTO days into the next calendar year.

·     You will receive two extra floating holidays (for a total of four) to request as you like – whether it is for another holiday such as Juneteenth or any other days of your choosing. If you consider the additional floating holidays and PTO together, you will receive the same amount of time off as before. The change is that the days are allocated differently between PTO and floating holidays.

·     Historically, some non-exempt (hourly paid) employees were able to “bank” holidays – that is, when they worked on a paid holiday, they either could take the equivalent time off on another day or be paid holiday pay. Beginning in 2024, non-exempt employees who work on a holiday will receive holiday pay and will be paid for hours worked at the rate of pay specific to your location. We will no longer have banked holidays.

·     You will have one paid volunteer day off to support causes that are important to you. See the chart below for more details on the PTO and holiday policies.

 Taking time off to recharge is important for your mental and physical health, and we encourage you to use your time each year. You’ll receive notifications from Workday to acknowledge the updated employee handbook, which includes the new PTO and holiday policies, by Sunday, Dec. 31.

Cory Albertson
Vice President, Human Resources