Mass Layoffs Hit Hartford Hotel

HARTFORD, CT — The Marriott Hartford Downtown said it will lay off 182 employees and reduce the hours of 21 employees by more than 50 percent, according to a document filed with the Connecticut Department of Labor. Hotel officials cite ongoing struggles due to the pandemic as the reason for cutting staff and said the hotel may be forced to close permanently.

The layoffs were anticipated to occur July 9 and are permanent. The reductions in hours are expected to last more than six months.

The hotel announced and implemented temporary, short-term furloughs and reductions in hours beginning March 17. These were supposed to last less than six months.

However, hotel officials said, "...as things have developed, we are only now beginning to see the true impact of COVID-19 on the Hotel's business operations presently and into the future, which is much more detrimental than originally anticipated."

They cited governmental restrictions on large gatherings, business, and travel in general as reasons for the loss of business.

"In this regard, while he had anitcipated the State's Phase 2 re-opening would have resulted in increased business demand, we are not seeing any meaningfully sustained increase in business levels in either the sort or long term at the present time."

Hotel officials said they were in discussions with the state government regarding financial relief. While these discussions have been productive, hotel officials said they "have not yet received the level of assurance necessary to avoid permanent layoffs..."

Other hotels around the state have been hard-hit by the pandemic as well. The Sheraton in Rocky Hill announced layoffs, as did two hotels in New Haven.

See related: Coronavirus Hartford: Restaurant To Begin Layoffs

Nearly 100 Hartford Layoffs Announced By Company