Sears Plans ‘Mass Layoff’ of 250 Workers

Hoffman Estates, Ill., Sears Holding Corp. plans a “mass layoff” of 250 employees at its Hoffman Estates, Ill., headquarters, according to a report filed with state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The state defines a massive layoff as 250 or more full-time employees or at least 25 workers if they comprise at least a third of the employer’s work force. A 2004 state law mandates that employers with at least 75 full-time workers must provide 60-days notice to workers and to the state for mass layoffs or a plant closing.

Sears declined to comment on the filing, but the commerce department’s Web site indicates that 250 workers at the Chicago suburb headquarters would be affected, published reports say. The company sent an e-mail to employees earlier in the week warning of future changes to benefits packages, to be implemented early next year.