Stamford Health To Furlough 375 Employees

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Health, which includes Stamford Hospital and the Stamford Health Medical Group, announced this week it will temporarily furlough approximately 375 employees in light of financial losses related to the new coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19.

In a statement, Stamford Health officials said the furloughs, effective Sunday, "did not impact any employee involved in current patient care or COVID-19 operations." Many of the employees worked in areas that are closed or have experienced a "significant reduction in operations" due to social distancing requirements and public health mandates, officials said.

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"We follow a set of core guiding principles when expense reductions are needed," Stamford Health CEO Kathleen Silard said in a statement. "Impact on our staff is a last resort, and we are sensitive to the fact that this may cause additional stress and anxiety during an already uncertain time. With the help of the public practicing social distancing and proper hygiene, we can hasten the resumption of all our healthcare services and programs."

Officials said the furloughs come after previous cost-saving measures, including the reduction and postponement of non-labor expenses, temporary benefit changes, compensation reductions for executives, and hiring freezes for positions "not critical for current patient care or COVID-19 operations."

Furloughed employees will retain their positions, including seniority status and pay level, officials said. The organization also said it intends to reinstate furloughed employees "as soon as work becomes available."

Furloughed employees will continue to receive health insurance and other benefits through Stamford Health, however they are also eligible to receive unemployment compensation, officials said. They will also still have access to resources put in place to support employees during this time, including mental health support, tutoring, home school assistance and childcare opportunities.