Philips Healthcare (Philips) has laid off an unspecified number of employees at its Bothell plant, US, due to harsh economic conditions, heraldnet reported. The Bothell plant was specialized in medical devices such as ultrasound equipment. Some of the employees have received severance notices in the previous week and some have received this week. Based on the seniority, the severance packages will be provided.
“I don’t think it’s a great secret to anyone that the economy has been rough, and it’s been especially rough in the health care industry,” Philips Healthcare Spokesman Steve Kelly.
“(This is) something that we certainly never take lightly,” Kelly said. “Our executive team has been pretty forthcoming in our communication to employees.”
Philips did not file a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice with the state 60 days prior to the lay off.
WARN notice is need for companies that employ over 100 people and plan mass layoffs. It need advance notice for layoffs that involve over 500 employees or 33% of a company’s active work force, or during complete closure.
In 1998, the Bothell campus was acquired by Philips when it purchased ATL Ultrasound.