Mayo Clinic to restore staff pay, bring back furloughed workers earlier than expected

Mayo Clinic says it plans to bring back furloughed workers and restore regular pay for staff ahead of schedule, as the Rochester-based medical system reports a stronger-than-expected recovery.

In an announcement made Wednesday afternoon, Mayo said it will restore pay levels for all staff — except senior leadership — on June 24 and return furloughed workers by the end of August. At least 23,000 Mayo employees have been affected by temporary spending cuts related to the pandemic.

“Because of our staff's teamwork and commitment to patients, our practice reactivation over the past eight weeks has truly exceeded expectations for revised 2020 patient volumes and financial targets,” Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, Mayo’s president and CEO, said in a written statement. “In short, we are in a much better position than we anticipated, and we're very pleased to be able to restore pay and end furloughs early."

Since beginning to reactivate its practice in early May, the Clinic has seen patient volumes rise from around 60 percent capacity in early June to 85-90 percent normal activity by the middle of the month.

Still, despite the optimism, Mayo cautioned the situation remains fluid, adding that it is still not back to its pre-Covid financial expectations.

“Now, we do not know what is ahead for us and we are aware that our recovery may continue, but it may also stall, requiring us to reinstitute certain measures,” Farrugia said in a message to employees Wednesday. “However, we committed to be open and transparent with you and to be flexible in our approach to this pandemic.”

While furloughed staff will return to work by the end of August, not everyone will come back in a physical capacity. Farrugia said the pandemic has demonstrated the ability of some employees to effectively work from home. Telemedicine trends are also likely to continue.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.