Barton layoffs hit management level
By Kathryn Reed
Barton Memorial Hospital is continuing to layoff employees in an attempt to remain solvent.
The nonprofit medical center in South Lake Tahoe let six mid-level managers go on Friday. It was a mix of clinical and nonclinical staff.
However, none of the upper management has lost their jobs in any of the layoffs, nor have they taken a pay cut. According to 2008 IRS documents, the most recent available, CEO John William’s annual salary was $524,907. This does not include benefits.
Five employees make $100,000-plus a year; four make $200,000-plus; and CFO Dick Derby is the second highest paid employee at $341,288.
It’s possible more layoffs will be forthcoming this year if employees do not take earlier retirement packages. Full- and part-time workers are being offered incentives to retire early.
The hospital has not set a target for the number of people it wants to see retire early.
The cost-savings from the current round of layoffs was not available. Nor does the hospital have a figure for the amount it needs to reduce the bottom line by with the early retirements.
In March 2009, Barton laid off 43 employees.
“It’s strictly an effort on Barton’s part to cut labor costs. We are continuing to see a decrease in tourism and increase in unemployment,” Barton spokeswoman Denise Sloan said.
With fewer people on the slopes, it means fewer gurneys wheeled into Barton’s emergency room. Snow sports injuries are a big part of Barton’s revenue stream in the winter.
“And Barton is seeing a decline in the reimbursement rate from government programs such as MediCal and Medicare,” Sloan said.
People are also continuing to skip elective surgeries, especially as deductibles rise. This means less income for the hospital.
While critical of a previous story LTN wrote, now I have to say Kudos LTN! Way to point out how at a”Non-Profit” entity, some people with their high salaries seem to be profiting very nicely!!
Shocking! Looks like if you don’t work for a Financial company, hospital administration is the next best thing.
I just don’t see how someone can justify that they are worth that rate of salary. Like really, what do you do that makes you worthy of that much money?
I would guess it’s more that they get paid it because they can get away with it, probably have some board of director buddy system to go with it, that makes it possible.
just another example of the fine work done at Barton. What about the high priced “graphic artist” they have on staff? I understand Barton paid a large sum for the new logo on the sign paper whatever. Remember, If you can get off the hill before going to Barton. Unless you don’t mind dying.