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February 5, 2009
SEATTLE - Western Washington's largest hospital chain has announced significant layoffs. Swedish Hospital plans to eliminate 200 jobs, including more than two dozen senior executives.
An internal memo went out to workers Tuesday detailing who will lose their jobs and what will be happening to the non-profit company in the coming months.
According to the memo, the first round of layoffs targets upper management: four vice presidents and 22 directors have left or will be gone by the end of the week. Another 175 managers and support staff will be let go sometime next week.
The layoffs are aimed at cutting operating costs. Swedish Hospital will save between $20-25 million.
Swedish Hospital CEO Rod Hochman tells employees these decisions were difficult but necessary.
"Since we made the pledge last year that there would be no cyclical layoffs, the world has changed dramatically," Hochman said in the memo. "Current conditions are not part of the boom and bust cycle industry we described, but rather a complete re-setting of the global economy."
Employees at Swedish Hospital also expressed concern about their jobs.
"We're not really sure (about our job security) because of the way the economy is going with big companies laying off (workers)," said Perry Whitner, Swedish Hospital nursing assistant. "We feel really secure about our jobs now, but you can never really tell."
Doctors, nurses and nursing assistants will not be affected by the layoffs, just upper management. Swedish Hospital reassures that health care will remain top notch.
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