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The latest figures available on layoffs and business closures in the Central Valley give a harrowing if incomplete picture of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
The federal WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification ) Act requires certain employers to provide 60 days advanced notice before terminating or laying off employees. That 60-day notice requirement can be waived in California under a recent executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom if it is COVID-19 related.
According to the latest update for California WARN notices from the state Employment Development Department, the following businesses have had to permanently or temporarily layoff employees in the Central Valley:
Club One Casino in Fresno, 223 employees laid off temporarily
The Old Spaghetti Factory in Fresno, 83 employees laid off temporarily
Yosemite Ranch Steak House in Fresno, 70 employees laid off temporarily
Pismo’s of Fresno, 130 employees impacted by temporary closure
Cheesecake Factory in Fresno, 196 laid off temporarily
Westwoods BBQ in Fresno, 140 employees impacted by a temporary closure
Focus Vision in Fresno, 17 impacted by temporary closure
Lyons Magnus, LLC, 63 employees, layoff permanent
Radisson Hotel Fresno Conference Center, 57 laid off temporarily
BJ’s Restaurants in Fresno, 126, layoff temporary
Max’s Artisan Breads Fresno, 61, layoff temporary
Extreme Manufacturing, LLC, Selma, 75, layoff permanent
Victoria’s Secret in Fresno, 63, layoff temporary
Chukchansi Gold in Coarsegold, 1,065, closure temporary
Pro-PT Physical Therapy in Visalia, 54, layoff temporary
Rogers Jewelry, 6 in Visalia, layoff temporary
RLMK Inc. McDonalds in Visalia, 226 layoff permanent
As WARN notices are only required from “covered” businesses — that employ or have employed in the last 12 months, 75 or more full and part-time employees — the list is likely only a partial picture of layoff activity in the Central Valley.