The Hidden Costs of Layoffs at FirstEnergy: What Employees and Retirees Need to Know

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for FirstEnergy FirstEnergy Corporation primarily utilizes the services of UnitedHealthcare as its healthcare provider for employee benefits. This partnership helps ensure that FirstEnergy employees have access to a comprehensive suite of health benefits. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we look towards 2026, FirstEnergy employees may face significant healthcare cost increases, primarily driven by the anticipated expiration of enhanced premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Without these subsidies, many enrollees could see their premiums rise by over 75%, creating substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Coupled with a rising medical cost trend of around 8%, employers are likely to shift a greater share of these costs onto employees, potentially raising premiums by an average of 8.5% as reported in various industry surveys. This confluence of factors illustrates a challenging landscape for healthcare affordability in the upcoming year. Click here to learn more

When a significant company like FirstEnergy faces the tough decision of layoffs, the immediate financial consequences can often be surprising. For example, when a tech giant announced cuts in November 2022 involving 11,000 employees, the separation expenses alone amounted to nearly $975 million, averaging over $88,000 per affected employee. While these costs are substantial, they were reported to be offset by reductions in current expenses such as salaries, bonuses, and other benefits.

The Real Price of Layoffs at FirstEnergy

Accounting for layoffs by simply calculating cost reductions and immediate savings can often overlook the deeper, more hidden costs. Research and expert analysis suggest that layoffs can disrupt productivity, morale, and overall company performance. FirstEnergy employees might experience fear and a decline in morale, resulting in decreased work quality and an increase in workplace accidents and product defects. Additionally, companies like FirstEnergy often face higher turnover rates, necessitating extra expenses to hire and train new employees. Other financial consequences include increased unemployment insurance tax rates and potential legal costs from discrimination lawsuits.

Indirect Costs and Long-term Impact for FirstEnergy

According to Wayne Cascio, a renowned professor at the University of Colorado-Denver Business School, companies that opt for temporary measures such as furloughs instead of direct layoffs tend to regenerate and perform better financially up to two years later. This finding could be relevant for FirstEnergy when considering different strategies to manage workforce reductions.

Separation Practices Across Industries and at FirstEnergy

The approach to separation varies significantly across industries and geographic regions, and FirstEnergy's practices might reflect this diversity. For instance, a quarter of U.S. companies ensure separation for all employees, while the global rate is slightly over 42%. In the healthcare sector, companies often offer more favorable terms, which can include extended medical benefits and compensation for increased leave time. As an example, Theseus Pharmaceuticals Inc. provided a severance package averaging $212,000 to each laid-off employee, one of the highest recorded by Bloomberg’s analysis. Understanding how FirstEnergy's approach compares can provide insights into industry best practices.

Productivity Decline Post-Layoff at FirstEnergy

Data from ActivTrak, which monitors employee efficiency through software, shows a tangible decrease in productivity following layoffs. For instance, among  seven companies  studied from January 2022 to April 2024, the average working time dropped by nearly an hour per day. This results in a loss of about 18 hours per month per employee, leading to significant financial losses over time. FirstEnergy might need to consider these productivity impacts when planning workforce reductions.

Long-term Costs of Increased Turnover at FirstEnergy

Implementing layoffs leads to an increase in voluntary turnover rates, which can be more costly than the layoffs themselves. According to a  hypothetical study  based on a company of 10,000 employees, if 10% of its workforce were laid off, voluntary quit rates could increase by 49%, leading to significant costs to replace these individuals, often amounting to 1.25 times their annual salary. FirstEnergy could face similar challenges, requiring careful planning to mitigate these long-term costs.

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Legal and Compliance Costs for FirstEnergy

The legal framework related to layoffs is complex and varies by state. Companies like FirstEnergy engage external experts to ensure compliance with employment laws and to minimize the risk of discrimination lawsuits. Labor economists like Mike DuMond from the Berkeley Research Group often conduct several rounds of demographic analysis to ensure layoffs do not unfairly target protected groups. Additionally, the costs related to legal compliance, including the requirement for WARN Act notifications for mass layoffs, add another layer of expense.

Conclusion for FirstEnergy Employees

The decision to proceed with layoffs, although often seen as a necessary step to cut expenses, involves many hidden and delayed costs. These encompass not only direct financial burdens such as separation and legal fees but also long-term consequences on employee productivity and FirstEnergy's reputation. Understanding these complex dynamics is crucial for FirstEnergy when contemplating workforce reductions as a strategy to cope with financial difficulties.