LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WKBW) — Eastern Niagara Hospital announced Thursday it would temporarily furlough 60 employees across the organization due to the impacts of COVID-19.
ENH says the temporary furloughs are in response to the suspension of elective surgeries, procedures and other services as well as decreased outpatient volumes due to COVID-19.
The temporary furloughs impact union and non-union staff.
“While we continue to sustain preparedness in critical areas for any potential surge of patients from the pandemic, it is also the Hospital’s responsibility to maintain overall financial stability for the long term," said Anne McCaffrey, President & Chief Executive Officer. "We emphasize that these measures are temporary and look forward to being able to bring these workers back to work as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and ENH is able to move forward with elective surgical procedures, routine diagnostics and our full array of services.”
Surgery, outpatient services and administrative and support areas will be the primary departments impacted. No employees in the Emergency Department, ICU or Inpatient Units are being furloughed.
The employees will be notified this week with the furlough effective immediately.
"All affected employees will be eligible to apply for NYS unemployment benefits, as well as the additional federal benefits that are being provided at this time," said McCaffrey. "ENH has also committed to providing further support to employees by maintaining health insurance and related benefits, as well as seniority status, vacation and other accruals during this temporary period.”
