Thank you so much to every Newport News shipbuilder working so hard to end 2025 strong, many of whom have been working our modified shifts to meet our commitments. Having said that, shipbuilder safety will always be most important and as winter weather is expected to impact our area today, we are making the following updates to Newport News Shipbuilding operations:

• First Shift: liberal leave option available beginning at 2:30 p.m.
• Second Shift: liberal leave option available
• Third Shift: liberal leave option available

NNS shipbuilders working at offsite locations such as Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Naval Station Norfolk should follow offsite location reporting direction.

Shipbuilders are encouraged to report to work if they feel safe doing so as we will remain open and working toward meeting our remaining commitments for the year. If road conditions are unsafe where you live and you are unable to report, please let your supervisor know.

During the time liberal leave is offered, parking in NNS lots is open. Shipbuilders can park in any space in NNS lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Open parking does not apply to spaces identified as 24-hour reserved, spaces used by government and U.S. Navy personnel, HII Family Health Center parking, privately owned and leased lots, expectant mother, visitor and handicap spaces.

NNS shuttle services will remain operational unless conditions become unsafe.

We will continue to monitor conditions, but expect normal operations to resume with first shift on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Future updates will be communicated via the following channels: Employee Information Phone Line (1-877-871-2058), NNS to Go app, company email, NNS President Kari Wilkinson’s Facebook page and NNS websites.

Thank you again to every Newport News shipbuilder working so hard to deliver capability to our Navy fleet. Please be safe!

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What is Liberal Leave?

Liberal leave means that employees do not have to work during the designated time if it is not safe to do so. Hourly employees who do not report can use annual leave, paid sick/personal time, or dock time. Salaried employees can use flextime or paid time off (PTO). When liberal leave is implemented during a shift, employees who have reported to work will have the option to leave at the designated time.

FAQs regarding liberal leave:

• Can a salaried employee take dock time if they don’t have PTO and don’t want to borrow PTO?
  No. As indicated in the instructions above, and in accordance with the company’s Emergency Pay/Liberal Leave Procedure, NN 01-200, salaried employees (non-exempt or exempt) who do not work must use Paid Time Off (PTO) if they have a balance available, borrow PTO, or flex with supervision’s approval. In the event a salaried employee has already borrowed the maximum 40 hours allowed, they should contact their HRBP for further instructions.
• Can a salaried employee borrow PTO if they don’t have any/enough hours in their banks?
  Yes, to a maximum of 40 hours. In the event a salaried employee has already borrowed the maximum 40 hours allowed, they should contact their HRBP for further instructions.
• Can an hourly employee take dock time? If so, how is that to be recorded in the system?
  Yes, unless they have been designated as essential personnel by their supervisor. Supervisors should remember to enter Company Pass Out (0325) into MyTime for those hourly employees who chose to be docked and who are not essential personnel.
• Can an hourly employee use Annual Leave (AL) if they choose?
  Yes, as long as they have a sufficient balance to do so and have not been designated as essential personnel.
• Can an hourly employee use Personal Time (PT) if they choose?
  Yes, as long as they have a sufficient balance to do so and have not been designated as essential personnel.
• Can salaried employees work from home?
  Yes, with advance approval from their immediate supervisor. Employees working from home are reminded of the importance of accurately charging their work time.