MARTINS FERRY, Ohio — More than 60 employees at East Ohio Regional Hospital (EORH) have recently filed police reports with the Martins Ferry Police Department, alleging that unpaid wages and unresolved insurance claims have left them without the pay they were due.
According to reports, the employees were scheduled to be paid March 7, but EORH did not pay them. Hospital owner Dr. John Johnson issued an email to employees saying they would be paid the following week, but again, they went unpaid. Another payday is scheduled for later this week, but there is no word whether workers will actually receive their wages.
Police say they have contacted the FBI and the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office about the employee reports on wage issues.
Last week, Johnson announced that layoffs were imminent. On Monday, Jeff Felton, Director of Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) told River News Network that up to 250 workers at East Ohio Regional Hospital could be laid off. He says that is half of the hospital’s 500 workers.
Belmont County Officials Prepare for Up to 250 Layoffs at East Ohio Regional Hospital
Felton said that a human resources officer from East Ohio Regional Hospital contacted Mike Schlanz, Director of the DJFS Ohio Means Jobs office in Martins Ferry about upcoming layoffs and the hospital’s requirement to notify the state of Ohio about the layoffs. Employers are required to submit Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification (WARN) for major worker layoffs. EORH is required to submit a WARN notice but had not done so as of early Tuesday morning.
Stay with River News Network for updates on this developing story.
