Anchor: Now to a developing story, financial struggles at Texas Children’s Hospital have left hundreds of employees without jobs. According to a spokesperson, 5% of the hospital's workforce has been laid off.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKgAb4b2JHE
Anchor: We have reached out to Texas Children’s Hospital for specific details about the layoffs. A spokesperson said they are only confirming the information released in an article posted by the Houston Chronicle at this time. KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel is joining us now live with how employees are taking this news.
Corley Peel: The employees I spoke with are heartbroken. Many of them have spent decades working at Texas Children’s Hospital, and now they’re having to look for new jobs. The majority of the people I spoke with were aware of the financial issues the hospital has been facing.
Corley Peel: The Texas Children’s website shows its North Austin Urgent Care Campus is closed. It’s where Cali Pena learned her job no longer exists.
Cali Pena: I was in shock. I actually cried. I was very hurt, angry, and upset because I moved my life here. I started with Texas Children’s a little over a year ago. I transferred my life to Austin to help open up this place.
Corley Peel: A hospital spokesperson confirmed information posted in a Houston Chronicle article, saying that cutting 5% of its workforce eliminates roughly 1,000 jobs out of about 20,000 employees. Lower patient volumes and financial challenges are contributing factors.
Cali Pena: I was on a contract as well. To find out my contract didn’t protect me during this was disheartening. It was really sad. I was told I couldn’t look for a job during my contract. I wasn’t able to transfer.
Corley Peel: Greg Rosenberg is an employee attorney not affiliated with the layoffs. He says mass layoffs are difficult for employees to challenge legally.
Greg Rosenberg: Somebody challenging a layoff would have to prove that the layoff, as it applies to them, was motivated by some protected characteristic such as age, gender, or national origin. Typically, they check all those boxes before choosing individuals for layoff.
Cali Pena: They offered us a severance package, a recommendation letter to help us get a job, and financial support until October 5th.
Corley Peel: Texas Children’s says these layoffs should not impact patient care. Again, I have reached out to Texas Children’s for more specific details about the layoffs. At this time, they are not commenting any further, but we will continue to ask questions and keep you updated as soon as we learn more. Reporting live from the Medical Center, Corley Peel, KPRC 2 News.
Anchor: Corley, thank you. On click2houston.com, we have a story about a physician assistant who is suing Texas Children’s Hospital after she says she was offered a job and then told there was a hiring freeze after moving across the country.