LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville-based GE Appliances plans to lay off 4% of its salaried global workforce as the industry continues to navigate a tricky sales landscape.
Company spokeswoman Julie Wood confirmed the layoffs to WHAS11 Thursday. GE is one of the largest employers in the city, according to the Metro Chamber of Commerce, and employs about 8,500 people.
"The appliance industry is down 4% year to date and even more challenging than anticipated," Wood said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the cost-saving actions we have taken are not enough to offset the pressures. After exhausting all avenues, we made the difficult decision to reduce the size of our global salaried workforce by 4%.
"Our commitment is to support our employees through this transition. The company will provide a 30-day notice of separation, plus up to six months of severance dependent on years of employment, continued medical coverage for six months, and professional outplacement support."
The jobs impacted are corporate positions and do not affect employees represented by the union.
GE’s 750-acre Global Appliance Headquarters opened in Louisville in 1951.