Commissioners to Temporarily Reduce Staffing in Response to Decreased Consumer Activity

This afternoon the Franklin County Commissioners, in conjunction with the President Judge and independent elected officials, approved a temporary reduction in staffing across County and Court offices beginning at the close of business on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Approximately 25% of the workforce will be placed on furlough effective April 16.

“First and foremost, our goal is to help protect the health and welfare of the public and our workforce. Last month, County operations were modified to encourage social distancing and remote work while providing services to the public to the greatest extent possible. However, as consumer activity has decreased across County departments and Court offices, it’s our fiscal responsibility to temporarily adjust our staffing needs in response to the lighter workload resulting from the COVID-19 crisis,” said Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller. “It’s never easy to furlough employees, but we are confident that this is short-term,” he added.

On March 17, 2020, the Board of Commissioners declared a disaster emergency as a proactive measure in response to the coronavirus pandemic which had not yet reached Franklin County. Since then the county, and eventually the state, was given a stay-at-home order from the Governor as COVID-19 positive test results increased. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Saylor issued orders closing all courts statewide, except to hear emergency matters, until April 30, 2020. These measures, implemented to protect the public from COVID-19, have impacted businesses, agencies, and organizations throughout Franklin County as consumer activity has drastically decreased. Health experts predict that the pandemic will continue to affect Franklin County for at least the next few weeks.

“Taking this temporary action now is considerate of taxpayer dollars,” said Commissioner John Flannery.

Staffing will be limited to critical personnel as determined by job function as it relates to the performance of essential work involving the safety of human life, the protection of property, or the performance of certain other duties critical to the upkeep of county government as deemed necessary by county, state and federal leadership.

Furloughed employees will be eligible for Unemployment Compensation as well as for benefits through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security Act (CARES) Act. While this reduction in staffing is temporary in duration, it will last as long as is necessary based on community activity and consumer demand for services.

“Our staff is our greatest asset and we are committed to seeing them return,” said Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski.  

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