Healthcare providers have been faced with difficult decisions regarding staffing throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Many hospitals, health systems and health services companies have pursued furloughs, layoffs and pay cuts in order to help ensure the viability of the organization going forward. When making these changes, ensuring the appropriate legal approach has been taken is necessary to minimize risk and liability. At the same time, clear communications is critical, both to mitigate risk and to be as compassionate and transparent with the affected individuals as possible. Here, Jesse Neil, partner at Waller, and Molly Cate, partner and chief innovation officer at Jarrard Inc., discuss some of these considerations and areas where law and communications overlap in dealing with FTE management and healthcare staffing issues.
