–Update

May 1, 2020

Hello Challenger Employees,

After careful consideration of multiple factors, we have decided to fully reopen ALL Plants at Challenger on Monday, May 4.  So, we are asking ALL employees to report to work.  By our state’s own definition, Challenger has been allowed to be fully functional as an “Essential” business—although we have opted until now to only partially remain open, on May 4th we will fully reopen.

After 2 weeks of working to put in place appropriate safety precautions from the CDC that allow us to do necessary work, we feel ready to welcome back the remainder of employees to work onsite again. We have obtained masks for every employee to use upon their return (as an added precaution for both the wearer & others who may be close by), along with a set of Safety Procedures to help keep everyone safe and healthy.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our expectation is that no employees will have “prolonged close contact” with anyone during their workday.  We will need the help of each of you in working together to help us all keep Challenger a safe and enjoyable place.  We all must remember to communicate and act respectfully as we have different perspectives and expectations—just as healthy families also continue working at this.  We understand that these are uncertain times, so if you have questions or concerns, please contact your manager.

If you normally rely on the break truck to bring your lunch/breakfast meal, we recommend that you bring your own food–until we know for sure that the break truck is coming regularly again.

Challenger works hard to take care of its employees and follow all governmental guidelines, so please contact your manager or HR if you experience something you believe may be outside of these. For HR, you may email HR@challengerdoor.com  -or-  call (574)773-8130.

Thank you and Take Care,

 

The Challenger Management Team

April 22, 2020

We have decided to reopen Plant #24 (the Challenger Designs division and the Door groups located there, also) on Monday, April 27.  So, we are asking all Plant #24 employees to return to work on April 27. We will have safety precautions in place to do our best to comply with CDC recommendations. We understand that these are uncertain times, so if you have questions or concerns, please contact your manager.

Most of our Door division production is remaining shutdown until Monday, May 4, when we currently plan to reopen fully.

There will continue to be a limited number of our staff working across the company (some at home) as needed on essential tasks.  If you have a question for HR, email HR@challengerdoor.com  -or-  call (574)773-8130.  Please continue to check back at the following for any updates on our re-opening or schedule changes:

www.challengerdoor.com     –or–    call (574) 773-8114

Thank you and Take Care,

 

The Challenger Management Team

 

 

 

April 17, 2020

Hello Challenger Employees,

Although our company is officially remaining shutdown until at least Monday, April 27, we received our Paycheck Protection Program funds from the government this week. As a result, we will start paying employees again through payroll.  We are asking ALL employees who have filed for unemployment to STOP filing more Unemployment weekly vouchers (see details below).

Here are several Key Actions for you to Understand & Follow:

  1. Please do NOT submit any more weekly Unemployment vouchers, besides the one for the week of April 6-10.  That was the only one for which we will not be paying all employees.

NOTE: If you filed for any wages before that week & get paid for it, you likely will need to pay it back to the state; since Challenger paid ALL employees for weeks before April 6th.  If you did this (got paid for weeks before April 6-10), we recommend that you call the unemployment office at 1-800-891-6499.  (I called them right at 8 a.m. and spoke to someone–with a short wait time (not on Mondays, though))

  1. Starting with wages for this week (April 13-17), Challenger will pay an average weekly pay for you or your department for ALL those who were employed when we shut down on March 24th.  These paychecks will be paid & mailed out by Friday, April 24th.

As we stated previously, Challenger is continuing to pay the full premiums & you will remain covered (if you were already enrolled) for Dental, Vision and Health Insurances.  Any Voluntary Insurance premiums (with Reliance, such as Accident Insurance) will still be deducted. Also, if you must withdraw funds out of your 401k account or have questions about this possibility, please contact HR as indicated below.

There will continue to be a limited number of our staff working as needed on essential tasks.  If you have a question for HR, email HR@challengerdoor.com  -or-  call (574)773-8130.  Please continue to check back in at the following locations for any updates on our re-opening or schedule changes:

www.challengerdoor.com     –or–    call (574) 773-8114

Thank you and Take Care,

 

The Challenger Management Team

4/9/2020

–Update 

After taking numerous factors into account, we have decided to remain shut down until at least April 27. We recommend that you continue to file your voucher with unemployment the week following your initial application–and EACH week thereafter.  Realistically, it normally takes approximately 21 days for unemployment funds to start being paid—so be as frugal as possible until then.  On a related note, the Indiana unemployment team announced that the extra weekly $600 Federal funds from the CARES Act will start being disbursed through Indiana unemployment starting the week of April 20th—and they stated that this WILL be retroactive to this week’s pay.

 

As we stated previously, Challenger will continue to pay the full premiums & you will remain covered (if you were already enrolled) for Dental, Vision and Health Insurances.  Also, if you need to draw any money out of your 401k account or have questions about this possibility, please contact HR as indicated below.

 

There will continue to be a limited number of our staff working as needed on essential tasks.  If you have a question for HR, email HR@challengerdoor.com  -or-  call (574)773-8130.  Please continue to check back in at the following locations for any changes or updates, on any updates, our re-opening  or schedule changes:    www.challengerdoor.com   –or–  call (574) 773-8114.

 

Thank you and Take Care,

 

The Challenger Management Team

April 6, 2020

 

UPDATE—

As you work your way through the sometimes frustrating and tedious process of obtaining Unemployment benefits, please remember that you need to file a Voucher each week online—so check back again each Sunday or Monday for now.  Here is a one-page brochure that shows you helpful information in 3 STEPS.  Hang in there!

 

Click HERE for Easier 3 STEPS Process:   1.) Apply; 2.) Vouchers; & 3.) After Filing     

 

April 3, 2020

Based on various factors, we have decided to remain shut down in our operations at least until April 13. We are doing our best to consider the safety of you, our employees, and the community, as well as how to appropriately serve our customers and keep the future bright for Challenger.  Although we can’t answer all questions here, we’re providing some key information for you.  There will be a small number of employees that will need to continue doing some essential work (& they should have already received an email notice of that), while the rest of you we recommend the following:

 

  • PAY: As we said before, you will still be paid through the end of this week—paid on 4/10/2020.
  • BENEFITS:
  1. Insurance–During shut down, any Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance you have will remain in effect. Starting on the 4/10/2020 paycheck, we will no longer be deducting the premiums.  Challenger will pay them until further notice.  IF you have any Voluntary Insurances (w/ Reliance), these deductions will be accrued for later payment.
  2. 401k—New regulations allow you for now to withdraw money from your 401k plan, if you qualify—and many of you would. However, we encourage you to reduce spending or do other options before draining your retirement fund.  IF you do need to look into this further, please email me at hr@challengerdoor.com with your name and phone #. HR will work to respond by 4/10; but there are multiple items still needing to be set up yet.
  • UNEMPLOYMENT: We recommend that ALL hourly & Office/Salaried employees (not approved to keep working from home) should file for unemployment benefits—while on a Temporary Leave. The federal government has significantly increased the typical benefits during this covid-19 time.  You don’t need to look for other work to get paid—in fact, we hope you don’t. ?

****Individuals should apply for benefits online, using a computer or smart phone. Online filing information can be found at www.Unemployment.IN.gov   For questions, call 1-800-891-6499.

  • PAYCHECKS: Paychecks were mailed yesterday (Thur.), and your 4/10 paycheck will be mailed by next Friday (4/10).

 

We plan to make an announcement by next Friday, April 10 regarding future plans. There will be a limited # of staff working as needed on essential tasks.  If you have a question for HR, please email HR@challengerdoor.com  -or-  call (574)773-8130.  Please be patient for a response. After Thursday, April 9th, please check the following locations for any changes or updates, on our re-opening or schedule changes:—  www.challengerdoor.com   –or–  call (574) 773-8114.

 

Thank you and Take Care,

 

The Challenger Management Team