Coronavirus impacts lead to more than 370 furloughs at nonprofit

BRADENTON — In response to financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, Goodwill Manasota has made staff reductions that impact 374 employees, or 52% of its workforce, effective March 27 until further notice.

The affected employees have been placed on temporary furlough, according to a press release. The nonprofit joins Goodwill organizations across the country in making the decision to reduce their workforces until the crisis has resolved and operations stabilize.

In the past two weeks, Goodwill Manasota has seen a decline of 46% in sales at its retail stores, with the impact heading into the millions of dollars and climbing, the release says. Immediate steps to provide support for affected team members include paid time off payouts, access to health benefits and a free Teladoc service. 

While the organization implemented a reduction in their hours, it did not furlough workers employed through the Supported JobsPlus program, which includes individuals with significant physical, psychiatric or developmental disabilities.

Goodwill has reduced the hours of operation of its retail stores and increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures of all facilities. It has temporarily closed its Job Connection (free career services) sites. Goodwill will offer remote career services to veterans and their families, the homeless and other job seekers. 

The organization is still accepting donations of gently-used items and non-perishable food from the community at its attended donation centers. It is asking donors to remain in their cars to minimize face-to-face contact.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision but it was necessary to stabilize our social service organization for the future,” says Goodwill Manasota President and CEO Bob Rosinsky in the statement. “It is our hope and expectation that taking these actions swiftly and decisively will position us to fully reopen, resume services, and rehire those impacted when the global health crisis subsides.”

Through philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill Manasota assists people with disabilities, veterans, seniors and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training and free career services.