GM Pushed Shift Time Back to Let Workers Watch NFC Championship Game

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

The Detroit Lions have never played in a Super Bowl, but the team’s appearance in this Sunday’s NFC Championship game may pave the way for its first Big Game. The whole city is understandably excited, and to help its employees enjoy the game, General Motors is delaying a shift at its Flint Assembly Plant.


Some employees at the plant took to social media to celebrate the decision. One shared Ford's internal memo to workers, notifying them of the change. “We recognize the Detroit Lions playing in the NFC Championship game as a rare, unique opportunity that warrants this temporary schedule adjustment to allow employees to enjoy the game and make it to work on time.”


GM’s Flint facility is the only one with a third Sunday shift. The plant builds Chevrolet and GMC heavy-duty trucks, and many of the location’s almost 5,000 employees have been in the game day spirit all week, wearing blue and silver to work.


This is a rare move from the automaker. One employee responded to a post on Reddit to say that they’d never seen a delay or shutdown in 13+ years, even for two feet of snow. Unfortunately for local fans, the NFC Championship game is away in San Francisco, but they’ll at least be able to enjoy the show before heading in to build trucks on the graveyard shift. 


[Image: Bryan Pollard via Shutterstock]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • Dukeisduke Dukeisduke on Jan 25, 2024

    "One shared Ford's internal memo to workers, notifying them of the change. 'We recognize the Detroit Lions playing in the NFC Championship game as a rare, unique opportunity that warrants this temporary schedule adjustment to allow employees to enjoy the game and make it to work on time.'"


    Ford's internal memo?

    • Lorenzo Lorenzo on Jan 25, 2024

      Well, the owner of the Lions, Sheila Ford Hamp, is the great-granddaughter of Henry Ford Sr. She Inherited it from her mother, who inherited it from her husband William Clay Ford, Sr. grandson of Henry I, son of Edsel, father of Sheila. Ford had become majority owner on November 22, 1963, an unfortunate date.


  • Redapple2 Redapple2 on Jan 25, 2024

    Class move EvilGM. BUT, dear lord the HD Silverados are so ugly they make children cry. I m begging, please fix.

    • Jeff Jeff on Jan 25, 2024

      They are ugly but then to me most newer vehicles are ugly. I give GM credit for giving their employees this time.


  • Calrson Fan Calrson Fan on Jan 25, 2024

    Good on GM for doing this.


    A Vikings fan but rooting for the Lions! Don't expect them to get past San Fran this weekend but would love to be wrong about that..

  • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Jan 28, 2024

    NFC Championship = who wants to advance and lose to the Chiefs. 😉

    (Lions looking good so far)

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