Job Cuts Continue At The Idaho National Lab

Job-cutting at the Idaho National Laboratory continues. The Post Register reports more than 100 INL employees voluntarily left their jobs last week as the lab’s contractor deals with “budget constraints”.

The contractor [Battelle Energy Alliance] in charge of INL announced in December it would lay off at least 300 employees, citing budget concerns, increased daily costs and a need to remain competitive.

Most of the 110 volunteers — who had to apply — served their last day as INL employees Thursday, spokeswoman Amy Lientz said.

“A lot of these folks are retiring,” Lientz said. “They’ve given a lot of their careers to INL … but for many, they are taking on a new adventure in their life.”

The volunteers will receive severance pay for up to 16 weeks, based on their length of service and seniority. They also will receive medical benefits through the Department of Energy’s Dislocated Workers Program. The Idaho Department of Labor will provide assistance for job transitions, such as resume writing. -Post Register

Battelle has said they could cut up to 450 jobs. The Idaho National Lab has cut more than 250 jobs over the last two years.