Chesterfield County furloughs 500+ employees

Chesterfield County will furlough more than 500 part-time and full-time county employees starting April 4 until further notice, the county announced Tuesday in a released statement. Employees were notified last week of the furloughs.

“Unfortunately, we find ourselves in unusual circumstances as the national, state and local economies continue to be negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the subsequent quarantines,” County Administrator Joseph P. Casey said in a statement. “It’s projected that the nation will be facing the worst-ever financial quarter.” 

Real estate is Chesterfield’s main source of revenue, but 40% of county revenue is tied to retail and consumer behavior, according to the statement, adding that discretionary spending has been stopped and county department budgets are frozen to limit the number of furloughs.

“With a significant impending economic downturn, as good stewards of taxpayer monies, we’ve already had to make some tough decisions and take money-saving measures,” Casey said in a statement.

Of the 500 positions that have been furloughed, approximately 10% are vacant positions. Those who have been affected were provided information about how to seek unemployment benefits and are receiving six months of dental and health benefits paid by the county.

“This wasn’t an easy decision and one that was not taken lightly,” Casey said. “We hope this pandemic will soon end and that our economy can make a quicker than expected comeback.”