Media network Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), responsible for brands including 2Day FM, Triple M and the Hit Network, is making further changes to its workforce in the wake of COVID-19.
The company has already implemented 10% pay cuts for those earning over $68,000 per year. In addition, the company will now reduce staff hours and stand employees down.
CEO Grant Blackley told Mumbrella the situation was difficult for everybody.
2Day FM is one of SCA’s radio brands
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“Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for everyone – including for ur business and our people,” he said in a statement. “I have every faith in the strength and tenacity of our people and business, and I know we will come through this together, prouder and stronger.”
SCA said it had assessed the workload requirements of the business and “available work will be appropriately matched with our workforce in the current circumstances”.
The changes, it said, are temporary.
“We are working closely with all of our employees during this time to ensure they are supported through this difficult period,” SCA added.
Blackley: ‘We will get through this’
According to Radio Today, SCA meets the requirements for the federal government’s Job Keeper scheme, meaning employees are eligible for the before-tax $1,500 fortnightly payment.
To be eligible for Job Keeper, companies with a turnover below $1 billion must have suffered a 30% decline in revenue. During its full-year results in August last year, SCA had revenues of $661m for the 2019 financial year.
Various agencies and media owners have implemented similar measures including WPP AUNZ, Australian Radio Network (ARN), IPG Mediabrands, Seven West Media, News Corp and Ten.