COVID-19 & Jobs, April 6

Weekly report from the Oregon Employment Dept. shows layoffs at some businesses around the State due to the COVID-19 virus, but also a rush in hiring by other businesses trying to keep up with the new consumer practices. Layoffs: Brasada Ranch resort in Powell Butte is furloughing 29 full-time workers and 67 part-time workers due to COVID-19. Deschutes Brewery laid off more than 300 workers at its pubs and taprooms in Bend and Portland due to COVID-19. Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria will layoff about 90 staff who are not involved in direct patient care due to COVID-19. Burgerville will furlough 1,020 of its 1,482 employees due to COVID-19. The move affects all of its store locations in Oregon and southwest Washington and staff at its headquarters in Vancouver. Elmer’s Restaurants will lay off 296 workers at restaurants in Beaverton, Portland, Gresham, Tigard, and Woodburn and 29 at a Vancouver location due to COVID-19. Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians closed Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville due to COVID-19. EV-maker Arcimoto is suspending production at its Eugene factory due to COVID-19, idling 80 of the company’s 110 employees. McMenamins hotel and brewpub chain will temporarily lay off 3,000 workers and close most locations around the region due to COVID-19. Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette closed its retail stores and donation centers due to COVID-19. Jasper’s Food Management Inc. – which operates restaurants in Salem, Eugene, Cottage Grove, Roseburg, and Albany – laid off 172 workers due to COVID-19. Hiring: Due to COVID-19, Safeway and Albertsons stores in Oregon are hiring for the following positions: cashier, courtesy clerk, customer service, deli, meat, bakery, produce, fuel station, home delivery drivers. Wilsonville-based Avamere Senior Living is hiring health care workers due to COVID-19. It is seeking nurses, caregivers, cooks, and housekeepers. Avamere’s companies operate in over 250 locations across 19 states with over 8,800 employees. Walmart plans to hire more than 1,200 associates in Oregon to work in stores, clubs, distribution centers, and fulfillment centers due to COVID-19. The hiring will take place through the end of May. Due to COVID-19, Fred Meyer and QFC stores in Oregon are hiring hundreds of workers to restock shelves and fill ecommerce orders.