MultiCare Announces Furloughs for 6,000 Employees

PUYALLUP, WA — Even health care providers are struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus outbreak.

Starting May 10, MultiCare will furlough around 6,000 of their employees. The company announced the move Wednesday, citing financial concerns as the reason for the furlough.

MultiCare says they've lost around $160 million since the outbreak began. In a statement, MultiCare CEO Bill Roberston said the decision was unfortunate but necessary to keep MultiCare running:

"The goal of these difficult decisions is to ensure that we can return to a solid fiscal position, so that we may continue in our mission of partnering for healing and a healthy future — and remain the long-term health care partner the communities we serve require us to be. At all points of decision we are striving to find solutions that balance stewardship and kindness as we seek ways to recover our operating losses while preserving positions across the organization."

The company says the majority of the furloughed employees do not work in clinics, but has not specified exactly how many employees work in each sector. There are MultiCare facilities across Washington, with locations in Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Kirkland, Seattle and more.

The 6,000 affected employees will be furloughed for 17 shifts between May 10 and January 2 of next year, equal to one shift per pay period through the end of 2020.

MultiCare says the furloughed employees do have some options to reclaim some of their lost pay: hourly and salaried employees can both use their available Paid Time Off for furloughed shifts. Otherwise they'll be expected to take unpaid time for the 17 days.

Furloughed employees will still have access to their health care, but will still need top pay contributions and coverage premiums.