CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Some employees at the Field Museum are asking management to consider an alternative to massive layoffs, such as rotating furloughs.
Employees like Victoria Reese said they believe 125 people are being laid off. While Reese says she understands the pandemic has had a major impact on museum economics, there is more to consider.
“We’re very generously endowed,” she said Wednesday. “We’ve had great revenues for the past few years. Leadership has been rather lacking in its transparency about these issues.”
Reese and other employees say the Field Museum is in better shape than managers say it is.
A spokeswoman for the museum management says fewer than 125 employees are being laid off. The museum says it has looked hard at its options.
Meantime, the Shedd Aquarium announced it is eliminating 36 positions and furloughing 171 people.