Financial Woes Lead to Job Cuts in Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has announced plans to lay off more 297 workers, citing financial difficulties and the need to cut costs
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining (WARN) Act requires 60 days’ advance notice for large-scale layoffs. OHSU has filed the required notice with the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission advising them of the layoffs.
The letter stated, “OHSU intends to implement a permanent layoff of some of its employees…on or after August 30, 2024. At this time, OHSU is permanently eliminating 297 positions as part of a reduction in force stemming from its strategic realignment process.”
More job cuts are expected to be announced as the OHSU board passed a $5.5 billion budget that includes eliminating more than 500 positions.
The layoff announcement has drawn criticism from unions representing workers at the healthcare giant. Meanwhile, reports indicate that while OHSU is cutting costs through layoffs, OHSU President Dr. Danny Jacobs Jacobs will receive an increase of $350,000 annually to his retirement benefits as part of a two-year contract extension. This increase will bring OHSU’s total yearly contribution to Jacobs’ retirement benefits to over $500,000.