Macy’s To Furlough Most Employees, Including On Long Island

LONG ISLAND — Macy’s announced Monday it is furloughing the majority of its almost 130,000 employees, including those on Long Island, during the ongoing new coronavirus pandemic.

"Across Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury brands, we will be moving to the absolute minimum workforce needed to maintain basic operations," Macy’s said in a statement Monday. “This means the majority of our colleagues will go on furlough beginning this week.”

Workers who are furloughed will continue to be covered in the company’s health benefits plan through at least May, the company said.

The national retail chain, which closed all stores March 18, "will remain closed until we have a clear line of sight on when it is safe to reopen," the retailer said.

The Long Island Macy’s locations are as follows:

• Valley Stream
• Manhasset
• Garden City
• Carle Place
• Hicksville
• Massapequa
• Huntington Station
• Commack
• Bay Shore
• Hampton Bays
• Lake Grove

The Bloomingdale's stores on Long Island are in Garden City and Huntington Station.

Since its stores were closed, Macy’s has also drawn down its line of credit, frozen spending and hiring, extended payment terms, and canceled a collection of orders. Macy’s is still offering online shopping.

J.C. Penney announced Tuesday it was extending the temporary closure of its stores and business offices due to the new coronavirus outbreak. It also said it would be furlough the majority of its hourly employees beginning Thursday.

Long Island J.C. Penney stores are located in Valley Stream, Garden City and Bay Shore.