Marriott International has announced that the furloughs and
reduced work schedules announced in March and implemented in April because of
the effects of the coronavirus pandemic will be extended through 2 October.
Marriott is also rolling out a "voluntary transition programme for
on-property and above-property associates in the United States who may choose
to leave the company to pursue other opportunities", the company said in a
statement. Similar volunteer programmes are being considered in other parts of
the world.
In addition, "given the company's expectation that
prior levels of business will not return until beyond 2021, the company
anticipates a significant number of above-property position eliminations later
this year", the statement continued. Marriott is not able "at this
time to predict how many associates will be affected by these separations or
any resulting charges or cost savings", it said.
The statement did not include updates on hotel closings.
Last week, several publications noted that the company's Edition Times Square
hotel, which opened last year to much fanfare, will close permanently on 13 August.
Marriott did not immediately respond to a request for
further comment.