Shore Medical Center Calls For Voluntary Layoffs Amid Coronavirus

Update: Shore Medical Center spokesperson Brian Cahill sent Patch an additional statement since publication.

"The intended volunteers for reduction are in non clinical support areas that have nothing to do with patient care.

"We did not want to exclude someone who may have extenuating circumstances that would prevent them from providing care to patients with Covid-19. No doctors or nurses will be granted a layoff."

SOMERS POINT, NJ — Employees at Shore Medical Center received a letter Monday from its offering the option of taking voluntary layoffs. The hospital's revenues have significantly decreased during the novel-coronavirus outbreak, according to Alan Beatty, vice president of human resources .

The hospital has "invested significant resources" into personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff, Beatty says. Shore has also had to cancel elective surgeries and other services because of state restrictions during the outbreak. Read more: NJ Suspending Elective Surgeries Amid Coronavirus Spread

The pandemic has put all hospitals in difficult financial positions, according to New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. Many hospitals have felt the impact around the nation.

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Shore has cut staff hours to allocate resources to patient care, according to Beatty's letter. Senior leadership also decided a week ago to take pay cuts between 25 and 35 percent and made "significant" donations to Shore's COVID-19 emergency fund, according to hospital spokesperson Brian Cahill.

Cahill made the following statement to Patch:

"Nothing is more important that the safety of our staff and the ability to provide the highest level of care to our patients.

"We are providing and will continue to provide our clinical teams on the front line with everything they need to treat our patients and remain safe.

"We have been asked by employees to have a option to be laid off and we want to make sure that option is available to everyone.

"The voluntary layoff option is one if the ways we are trying to avoid what is happening and likely to happen with other hospitals, including closures and mass layoffs

"This includes making difficult decisions on allocating resources from other areas.

"Our senior leadership team decided over a week ago to take pay cuts ranging from 25% to 35% of their salary. Then each of them followed that with significant donations to Shore’s COVID-19 emergency fund."

The hospital still faces financial difficulties, according to Beatty.

"In an effort to reduce the number of involuntary staff reductions Shore Medical Center is first asking for volunteers who may be interested in accepting a lay off," Beatty wrote. "Perhaps, prior to COVID-19, you have thought about leaving the organization, for one reason or another, in the next few months?"

Not every employee who volunteers for a layoff will qualify. Approved employees will receive health-care benefits through May 2, while Shore waives their normal payroll contribution. Then continuing coverage would come at the employee's expense, Beatty said.

Employees who volunteer would be eligible for rehire once the business and economy stabilize.

North Jersey has far more confirmed coronavirus cases than South Jersey. The State may move some medical personnel from the southern part of the state to the north, according to Persichilli. State officials have a team working to get them housing, she says.

Despite a heightened need for medical care during the pandemic, several hospitals around the nation have laid off staff because of similar issues:

• Atrius Health, the largest independent physician group in Massachusetts, has placed many nonclinical employees on furlough, according to NPR.
• U.P. Health System-Marquette in Marquette laid off up to 100 workers without pay, according to WLUC.
• Cape Fear Valley Health in North Carolina furloughed about 300 employees.

Efforts to Help

Shore is accepting online donations, which will help staff receive PPE and other needs. The hospital has also received donations each day from the community and businesses, including equipment and food for staff.

The hospital has also guided people on how to sew together masks. Shore will accept masks made of cloth and washable.

To donate hand-made masks, please contact our Patient Experience department at 609-653-3882. Put them in individual ziplock bags when you drop them off. Shore Medical Center will arrange for someone to meet you at the entrance.

Read more: Shore Medical Center Seeks Donations, Masks For Coronavirus Care

Current Numbers

Atlantic County has reported 31 positive coronavirus cases as of Tuesday afternoon. Cape May County has reported 19, including five who have recovered.

Governor Phil Murphy reported 2,196 additional cases and 69 deaths Tuesday. New Jersey now has 18,696 cases, and 267 have died since the crisis began. Read more: Gov. Phil Murphy: 69 More Die, 2,196 More NJ Coronavirus Cases