Honda has announced it will furlough salaried and support associates.
In a release Wednesday, the automaker said it would furlough “the majority of our salaried and support associates at Honda operations in the U.S.”
“As the unprecedented economic impact of the fast-changing COVID-19 pandemic worsens, Honda continues to evaluate conditions and make temporary adjustments to its production and business operations in North America,” according to the release.
Honda officials said the furlough would continue “for a planned two weeks.”
For associates in Ohio or any state other than California, the first day of the furlough is Sunday, April 19 and associates are scheduled to return to work May 4. For California associates, the first day of the furlough will be Friday, April 17 and associates there are scheduled to return to work on May 1.
Honda officials did say there could be additional impacts to “our business impacts and actions” and the company will work to keep individuals informed.
Company spokesman Chris Abbruzzese said he could not detail how many employees the furlough would impact.
“As the unprecedented economic impact of the fast-changing COVID-19 pandemic worsens, Honda continues to evaluate conditions and make temporary adjustments to its production and business operations in North America,” according to the release from Honda.
In March the company suspended production, beginning March 23. Associates initially received full pay, then were allowed to use vacation pay. Last week the company announced it would furlough about 27,600 production associates in North America, including 4,100 associates at Marysville Auto Plant and 100 associates at Performance Manufacturing Center.
The company said it is planning to resume its production schedule, beginning mAY 1.
The company said that COVID-19 impacts both the ability of associates to produce vehicles and consumers to buy them.
Officials said there has been, “continued steep decline in sales across the automobile and powersports industries.”
Honda said the extended production suspension is being implemented “in order to align product supply with a lack of market demand.”
The company is helping associates apply for government assistance while they are not receiving paychecks.
Company officials have told associates Honda is “committed to sharing information as this situation progresses and we thank you for your cooperation and flexibility during this challenging time.”
In March, Honda announced that as part of its “societal response,” it was pledging $1 million to food banks and meal programs across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Additionally, the company said that when associates donate to local food programs, it will match the donation, up to $1,000 for each individual gift.
Honda said it is “engaging and empowering” associates to “serve as ‘virtual volunteers,’ to help non-profits and people in need in their local communities while respecting the requirements of social distancing.”
Officials said Honda will reach out to many of its nonprofit partners, “to assess their needs and determine opportunities to support them with virtual tasks at a time when nonprofit resources are stretched.”