Concerns Over 160 Driving Academy's Temporary Suspension of PTO Accruals
On June 15, 2025, 160 Driving Academy will implement a temporary suspension of Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals for all employees. This decision affects staff across the board--from dedicated CDL instructors and frontline support personnel to management and possibly even corporate-level employees. The policy was announced as a cost-management measure by CEO Steve Gold, but the communication failed to provide transparency about the underlying causes or to acknowledge the real human toll such a change imposes.
PTO is not merely a benefit--it is a foundational component of employee well-being. For the individuals who perform physically demanding, safety-sensitive, and emotionally taxing work every day, paid time off is essential. It supports mental health, prevents burnout, and sustains the level of excellence required in commercial driver education and operations.
Suspending PTO accruals sends a disheartening message to the very people who uphold the mission of the organization. It undermines morale, retention, and trust--especially when the decision is made without open dialogue or a clear plan for reinstatement.
We urge 160 Driving Academy leadership to reconsider this move and to engage employees in a transparent conversation about the company's financial health and the shared path forward. Supporting your workforce is not just a gesture of goodwill--it's an investment in the future of safe, skilled, and resilient commercial transportation. read more