Macy’s To Furlough Most Employees, Including In Hudson Valley

Macy’s announced Monday it is furloughing the majority of its almost 130,000 employees, including in the Hudson Valley, 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 has closed all stores since March 18, “will remain closed until we have a clear line of sight on when it is safe to reopen,” the retailer said.

There are Macy's stores in White Plains, Yonkers and Yorktown Heights in Westchester County, West Nyack in Rockland, Middletown in Orange County and Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County.

Since its stores were closed, Macy’s Inc. 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 Company 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 temporarily be furloughing the majority of its hourly employees beginning April 2.

The retailer has locations in Poughkeepsie and Middletown.

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