Olean, N.Y.-based Upper Allegheny Health System laid off 18 employees Thursday, including various management positions. The layoffs accounted for about 1.5 percent of the health system's 1,400 employees, according to the Olean Times Herald.
The layoffs include seven positions at Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital, five positions at Bradford (Pa.) Regional Medical Center and six other positions in the health system's support departments. Employees affected by the job cuts were notified Thursday.
In addition to the layoffs, UPHS officials said 40 open positions across the health system will no longer be filled, according to the article.
Officials told the Olean Times Herald the layoffs are due to the hospital's fiscal 2016 performance "not meeting expectations."
Officials also said individuals whose positions were terminated will be placed on priority recall and will be given preference for any current or future vacancies for which they are qualified, according to the article.
"Every employee impacted by this workforce reduction is valued," said Dennis McCarthy, vice president of marketing and communications at Upper Allegheny Health System, in a statement. "However, if we do not act now to rebalance and rectify our financial performance, we stand to be in serious trouble very quickly. We cannot operate our hospitals at a deficit."