HARTFORD — Several hundred Connecticut state employees are applying to retire as a “substantial” number of layoffs loom.
Comptroller Kevin Lembo’s office said Friday it received 360 retirement applications by the close of business on Thursday’s deadline.
“This is a big month for retirement, a lot of folks, for various reasons make their retirements effective in April,” Gov. Dan Malloy said earlier this month. “I don’t want to mislead anyone. I suspect some number of layoffs are going to be required. I can’t give you an exact number, but we’re talking about a large number of positions that will be affected by the natural ebb and flow. Quite frankly, I think we’re going to see more retirements before April 1 than we normally see.”
Malloy has been waiting for the final number of April retirements to determine how many layoff notices he’ll issue. He said those notices will be sent out in about two weeks.
Malloy has said the total number of job reductions needed to balance next fiscal year’s budget is a “very, very substantial number” and has encouraged people to retire in order to save a co-worker’s job. That final number would include layoffs, retirements and positions left unfilled.
“If you can retire, please retire, and save somebody else’s job,” Malloy said this week.
It’s possible, after the office reviews the applications it received by the deadline, some may be deemed ineligible.
