Visionworks has "temporarily separated" 287 employees across Florida and the First Coast.
Among the employees thrown out of work are 14 workers at the company's Jacksonville-area stores:
- 9480 Arlington Expressway - 2 employees
- 58 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park - 4 employees
- 10300 Southside Blvd. - 8 employees
Visionworks told the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity the job cuts, which are a combination of furloughs and layoffs, are due to "unforeseen business circumstances caused by the global pandemic."
Related: Local, State, And National Coronavirus Coverage
Its stores were closed nationwide on March 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A limited number of stores have since reopened.
The San Antonio-based eye wear company said it has also significantly reduced its manufacturing operations "due to the reduced demand and state and local orders."
The layoffs began April 4 with Visionworks writing, "This closure is expected to be temporary and we believe it will last fewer than six months."
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
Photo used under Creative Commons license.