This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
As the city struggles to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, the American Museum of Natural History has announced a significant reduction in its staff. The museum, which employs around 1,100 people, will cut its full-time staff by about 200 people, resulting in dozens of layoffs, and put about 250 other full-time employees on indefinite furlough.
According to a statement from the museum, the staff reduction amounts to about 20 percent. This includes 68 layoffs, 70 voluntary retirements, and other workers whose contracts are expiring. The museum is projecting a budget deficit of between $80 million and $120 million for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends on June 30, and the next fiscal year.
"These actions are gut-wrenching," said Ellen V. Futter, the museum's president, in a statement. "But we are compelled to make them to protect the museum and its mission of research, science education, caring for our collections, and providing access for visitors."
Among those furloughed and laid off will be administrative staff members in almost all areas of the museum, including events, exhibitions, operational areas, education, and scientific departments. Most employees who work directly with visitors, school groups, and evening programs will be furloughed beginning on May 16.
The museum's statement said it hopes to bring furloughed staff back to work in stages as it reopens and gradually resumes more normal operations. Those employees will retain their health insurance.
There will also be graduated salary reductions implemented for employees who make $100,000 a year and up. Ms. Futter, whose salary is about $1 million, will be taking a 25 percent salary cut starting in the next fiscal year, the museum said.
