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Completion of Workforce Reduction

October 27, 2020

To: The Caltech Community
From: Thomas F. Rosenbaum, President and David A. Tirrell, Provost
Date: October 27, 2020
Re: Completion of Workforce Reduction

Earlier this month, we wrote about the impact of the pandemic on our operations and the implications of this unrelenting public health crisis on Caltech's workforce. It was a difficult message to send and we know it was a troubling message to receive.

Curtailment of campus operations in response to the pandemic has compelled us to reduce our workforce. We have notified 95 of our employees that they will be laid off on January 8, 2021, and 22 of our employees that they will be furloughed at that time. In addition, we have identified 35 open positions that will not be filled for the foreseeable future. 

We make these reductions with the intention that no additional cuts will be necessary. The actual numbers of layoffs and furloughs will be reduced to the extent that alternative positions can be found for those who received notices this week.

Caltech is committed to supporting all members of the community to the fullest extent possible. In responding to the pandemic, we have reduced other expenditures to enable the Institute to pay our employees from March 2020 until January 2021. All of the employees who have received layoff and furlough notices will continue to receive their full pay and benefits from Caltech through January 8, 2021. Furthermore, the Institute will compensate fully individuals who have a balance of separation time remaining on their last day of employment in January. 

Throughout the course of the pandemic, Human Resources has worked with managers and supervisors across Caltech to identify alternative roles and opportunities to allow employees to redeploy their skills in areas of continuing campus need. As we emerge from the pandemic and campus operations return to normal, employees who have been laid off will have the opportunity to be rehired into positions as they become available.

In addition to these efforts, our commitment to employees whose positions have been eliminated includes continued health benefits for a period of time beyond the last day of employment, as well as access to recruitment and career counseling services. Employees who have been directly affected by these reductions have been provided information on unemployment benefits, COBRA medical coverage, and contacts within Caltech's Human Resources department.

Many of us have connections to these colleagues and their absence from Caltech will be widely and deeply felt. In what has already been an incredibly challenging time, we know that this news further strains individuals' state of mind. We encourage everyone to find productive means for processing these events. Caltech's Staff and Faculty Consultation Center as well as Student Wellness Services continue to provide remote services to the community, and should be seen as a resource to the members of our community and their families.

We remain grateful for the dedication our community displays daily as we continue to fulfill Caltech's mission during this fraught time.