AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT GNC

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based GNC Holdings, a retailer of health and nutrition-related products, has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. As part of their restructuring and cost-cutting efforts, the company plans to close from 800 to 1,200 stores. The company is for sale through a court-supervised auction. Hundreds of employees are at risk for permanent layoff.

The company has been severely impacted by COVID-19 mandated closures of its stores and the precipitous drop in workout-related nutrition products. The company has also been impacted by the online marketing of similar products at discount prices and often with free delivery.

A company statement noted, "As outlined in both potential paths, the Company expects to use this process to improve its balance sheet and capital structure while continuing to advance its business strategy, right-size GNC's corporate store portfolio, and strengthen its brands to protect the long-term sustainability of its business."

"Over the past year, GNC has been executing a store portfolio optimization strategy to close underperforming stores, while continuing to invest in omnichannel and brand strategies to better meet consumer demand. This process will enable GNC to accelerate these strategies, including its store portfolio optimization. GNC expects to accelerate the closure of at least 800 to 1,200 stores. This acceleration will allow GNC to invest in the appropriate areas to evolve for the future, better positioning the Company to meet current and future consumer demand around the world."

"GNC remains committed to delivering wellness solutions to its consumers through easier and enhanced options to live well, from a strong product pipeline to an improved e-commerce experience. The Company will be launching the option to buy-online-pick-up-in-store later this year and has a robust innovation pipeline of ingredients and products to bring to market over the next three years."

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. 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. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT TOWER HEALTH (04/14/23)

APRIL 14, 2023 — 100 POSITIONS ELIMINATED

The company has announced additional layoffs as part of a cost-cutting initiative.

The initiative will impact 100 full-time equivalent positions, mostly non-clinical or management functions, to ensure the system is appropriately structured to meet our organizational goals."

NOVEMBER 3, 2021 — 293 LAYOFFS IN WEST GROVE, PENNSYLVANIA

Tower Health is continuing its restructuring plans and will be closing the Jennersville Hospital at the end of the year and plans to lay off 293 employees in West Grove, Pennsylvania by 12/31/21. The layoffs will affect workers at Jennersville Hospital, Jennersville Family Medicine, West Grove of PA Associates, and West Grove Clinic Co.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 — MAJOR RESTRUCTURING TO ACHIEVE FINANCIALLY STABILITY

Major layoffs as the company announced its plans to close its Jennersville Hospital in West Grove, Pennsylvania, and sell its Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Jennersville Hospital is scheduled to close on January 1, 2022, and its emergency department will remain open until the closing date.

Tower Health has signed a letter of intent to sell Chestnut Hill Hospital and more than a dozen urgent care centers to Livonia​, Michigan-based Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, the largest Catholic healthcare system serving the Greater Philadelphia area

JUNE 24, 2020 — Original post…

West Reading, Pennsylvania-based Tower Health, a regional integrated healthcare provider/payer system, has announced a reduction in force to counter losses attributed to reduced patient counts and lower reimbursement rates. Approximately 1,000 employees will be impacted by the permanent layoffs.

Even though the company previously furloughed more than 1,000 employees in April 2020, the losses through May 2020 totaled $212 million.

According to a company spokesperson, “The government-mandated closure of many outpatient facilities and the suspension of elective procedures caused a 40 percent drop in system revenue. At the same time, our spending increased for personal protective equipment, staff support, and COVID-related equipment needs.”

"Tower said positions will be eliminated in executive, management, clinical, and support areas. The cuts include consolidations of clinical operations. Tower is aiming to trim expenses by $230 million over the next two years, Matthews told staff."

“The decision to reduce our workforce has been difficult and painful because it impacts lives. It is necessary, however, to ensure that Tower Health can continue to serve the community with high-quality health care in the months and years ahead.”

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. 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. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? PRESIDENT TRUMP TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS NEW H-1B (AND OTHER) VISAS

In the face of significant opposition from the large corporations. President Trump has issued a proclamation to temporarily suspend New H-1B and other Visas to assist the U.S. recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The restrictions, which will take effect on June 24, 2020, and last through December 31, 2020, will impact new immigrants who were scheduled to replace American workers. The restrictions "may be continued as necessary."

The new proclamation does not apply to visa-holders already in the U.S. or those outside the country who have already been issued valid visas.

As with almost every Trump proclamation and executive order, it is expected to face a court challenge and a request for a temporary restraining order from some federal judge.

A number of high-ranking GOP Senators have asked for the action to be delayed, most likely to avoid impacting fundraising during an election cycle.

Other Visas impacted include H-2B visas for short-term seasonal workers in landscaping and other nonfarm jobs; J-1 visas for short-term workers including camp counselors and au pairs; and L-1 visas for internal company transfers.

Warning: Like all temporary measures, employees need to be careful when assuming positions that may be filled when the restrictions are lifted and employers continue to replace American workers with foreign visa holders.

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. 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. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

For those who want to read the proclamation and its fact sheet...

Proclamation: "Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak"

Fact Sheet: "President Donald J. Trump Is Putting American Workers First as We Restore Our Economy to Greatness."