AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT WILLAMETTE FALLS PAPER COMPANY

West Linn, Oregon-based Willamette Falls Paper Company, a paper manufacturing company, has announced a mass layoff in the face of a possible closure of the company's paper mill located in West Linn, Oregon and produces envelopes and paper for magazines, mass mailings and gift wrapping. The company is seeking an investor or buyer to fund continuing operations.

The reduction in force will impact 158 employees, but an additional 65 employees will be impacted if the paper mill is idled or closed.

According to President Brian Konen, “While it is hoped that this will be a temporary layoff and a buyer will want to continue the plant’s operations and hire our employees, if Willamette Falls Paper Company, Inc. is unable to raise capital or sell its assets, the mass layoff will be permanent, and we will close the plant.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall; why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Houston, Texas-based Texas Children's Hospital, a freestanding 973-bed acute care women's and children's hospital, has announced a 5% reduction in its workforce, including leadership and front-line caregivers.

The reduction will impact approximately 1,000 employees

A hospital spokesperson noted, "This has been so challenging and so difficult for us to get here. We have been really thoughtful about it … and we do not plan to have additional job cuts or job eliminations. The layoffs come after Texas Children's took a series of other steps to mitigate financial challenges, including reducing the size of its executive leadership team by about 10% and cutting their pay."

The hospital has been plagued by lower patient volumes, long-term financial challenges, a ratings downgrade, issues regarding continuing Medicaid funding, and a controversy over gender-affirming surgeries.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall; why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT VIR BIOTECHNOLOGY

San Francisco, California-based Vir Biotechnology, an immunology company focused on combining cutting-edge technologies to treat and prevent infectious diseases and other serious conditions, has announced a major restructuring and a product line pivot. The company discontinued the bulk of its virology work and pivoted to cancer research in an exclusive licensing deal with Sanofi.

The reduction in force impacts 25% of the company's research staff, or 114 employees, including senior members of management, scientists, engineers, and support staff. The layoffs will be mostly complete by October 2024.

According to CEO Marianne De Backer, “This decision was not taken lightly, yet it is essential to ensure that our resources are aligned with our evolving strategy and that Vir is positioned for sustainable growth and long-term success. In addition, we are taking decisive steps to strategically restructure our organization and prioritize our resources to focus on the highest value near-term opportunities. These key strategic decisions will enable us to drive sustainable growth and accelerate patient impact as we advance in our mission of powering the immune system to transform lives.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall; why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?