In response to the significant financial impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Goodwill Manasota has made significant staff reductions, impacting 374 employees – or 52% of its workforce – effective March 27, 2020 until further notice. The affected employees have been placed on temporary furlough. The nonprofit joins Goodwill organizations across the country in making the gut-wrenching decision to reduce their workforces until the crisis has resolved and operations stabilize. 

In just the past two weeks, Goodwill Manasota has seen a decline of 46% in sales at its retail stores, with the impact heading into the millions of dollars and climbing. After an exhaustive review of its finances and the consideration of numerous strategies to stabilize the situation, organizational leaders and the Goodwill Board realized that reducing the workforce through temporary furloughs would be the only option to ensure the doors remain open for those who have a critical need for Goodwill’s programs and services.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision but it was necessary to stabilize our social service organization for the future,” said Goodwill Manasota President & CEO Bob Rosinsky. “It is our hope and expectation that taking these actions swiftly and decisively will position us to fully reopen, resume services, and rehire those impacted when the global health crisis subsides.” 

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