Coronavirus: JC Penney announces temporary furlough of most store workers

JCPenney officials have announced that the company will be temporarily laying off most hourly store workers as stores and offices remain closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company made the announcement Tuesday that the furloughs will start Thursday.

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Starting April 5, workers at the company’s home office, Salt Lake City and Soho design offices will be furloughed, along with store employees who are salaried associates.

The announcement adds to the employees who were furloughed on March 20.

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Employees who were part of the JCPenney benefits program will still get health benefits and will the company will cover 100% employee-paid premiums while on furlough.

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Employees will also be able to get state unemployment benefits while they are laid off.

While the stores will not be open, JCPenney officials said that distribution centers and customer care divisions will still operate.