By MADDY VITALE
Shore Medical Center in Somers Point is asking employees to take voluntary layoffs and will also cut executive salaries as cost-saving measures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
A letter dated March 30 sent to Shore employees from the Human Resources Department explained a reduction in staff hours. It also noted that if any employees are interested in leaving the company prior to involuntary layoffs, they should contact their managers.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our staff and the ability to provide the highest level of care to our patients,” Shore Medical Center spokesman Brian Cahill said. “We are providing and will continue to provide our clinical teams on the front line with everything they need to treat our patients and remain safe.”
The intended volunteers for reduction are in non-clinical support areas that have nothing to do with patient care. No doctors or nurses will be granted a volunteer layoff, Cahill said.
He also said that the hospital did not want to exclude someone who may have extenuating circumstances that would prevent them from providing care to patients with COVID-19.
In addition, Shore Medical Center's CEO and all senior executives volunteered to take a pay cut ranging from 25 to 35 percent of their salary to offset some of the "massive expenses" the hospital is facing due to COVID-19, Cahill said.
