iHeartMedia Extends Staff Furloughs Another 90 Days

In March, iHeartMedia furloughed an unspecified number of employees for 90 days, citing the economic impact of the pandemic-induced downturn. Now, the company has announced the furlough period will be extended for an additional 90 days, according to a staff email obtained by Billboard and confirmed by an iHeart representative.

Sent Tuesday by iHeartMedia chief people officer Lorna Hagen to furloughed employees, the email notes that the “lockdown of businesses and communities” due to the pandemic “has lasted far longer than anticipated and has had a significant impact on advertising revenue,” forcing the radio giant to extend the furlough period.

“As a result of these longer than expected impacts, a number of companies are extending employee furloughs – and unfortunately we will be doing so as well, extending your furlough period for another 90 days,” the email reads. “We continue to expect that the furlough, which began on April 4, 2020, will be temporary. We know this is not what you hoped to hear, nor is it what we had hoped to do.”

The email goes on to state iHeartMedia will continue offering medical, dental and vision benefits to furloughed employees during the extension, and that the company will notify said employees “should the situation change and point to a speedier economic recovery or staffing need.”

When reached for comment, an iHeartMedia representative told Billboard via email, “As a result of the longer than expected impact of COVID-19 a number of companies are extending employee furloughs – and unfortunately we are doing so as well.”

Simultaneous with the staff furloughs, it was revealed in March that iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman would forgo his remaining salary in 2020, while compensation for the company’s senior management team would be cut between 30-70% for the remainder of the year. Pittman and iHeart COO Richard J. Bressler also revealed that new raises would be suspended, while travel and entertainment expenses would be severely curtailed, in an effort to prevent permanent layoffs.

Though Pittman has frequently cited statistics that suggest the reach of broadcast radio continues to grow, iHeart has made a concerted effort to pivot to digital streaming with its iHeartRadio app, which as of January reported 128 million users, though it brings in far less advertising revenue than the company’s AM-FM stations.

You can read the full email below.



Team,

As we’re sure you’ve read, the lockdown of businesses and communities across the country due to the COVID-19 virus and related restrictions has lasted far longer than anticipated and has had a significant impact on advertising revenue.  Although we as a company are beginning to return to the office in a very limited way, due to these business circumstances, we will not return to full office staffing levels for some time.

As a result of these longer than expected impacts, a number of companies are extending employee furloughs – and unfortunately we will be doing so as well, extending your furlough period for another 90 days. We continue to expect that the furlough, which began on April 4, 2020, will be temporary. We know this is not what you hoped to hear, nor is it what we had hoped to do.

We consider you an important part of iHeart, and we will continue to offer medical, dental, and vision benefits to you, as we have done, through this extended furlough period.  Please note that there are important updates to your eligibility for iHeartMedia’s Short and Long-Term Disability Plans, and the Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Plans which are included in the attached addendum to the Temporary Leave Guide.

Be assured that should the situation change and point to a speedier economic recovery or staffing need, we will notify you and bring you back as soon as we can.  If anything changes with you, or if we can offer any guidance or assistance, please contact us at HR4U@iheartmedia.com. If your employment is currently terminable at will, this notice does not affect that status.

We are truly sorry that you have to go through this. We know these are tough times and we very much appreciate your hanging in there with us.

Thank you.

Lorna Hagen