Coronavirus: Mercy Health to implement furloughs, redeploy clinical staff

Mercy Health, which operates the Springfield Regional Medical Center and Urbana Hospital, announced that it will furlough some employees while redeploying clinical staff amid the COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented demand for health care services, while simultaneously causing an unprecedented decline in other services and work within Mercy Health,” said a statement from Mercy Health.

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“In response, we are acting quickly to redeploy or temporarily furlough associates who are unable to work due to temporary closure, cancellation and low census in primary care, outpatient and surgical services,” it added.

As a result, a total of 700 support services associates who are not directly working on coronavirus related activities will be furloughed for 30 to 90 days, according to representatives of Mercy Health.

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In addition, there has been a suspension on hiring for any positions not directly impacting Mercy Health’s coronavirus care responses. Those furloughed will be paid for working through April 3 and then available PTO hours will be used until depleted, according to an official statement from the hospital network.

Those furloughed will be eligible for unemployment benefits, according to Nanette Bentley, a spokesperson with Mercy Health.