These Florida Companies Laid Off 100,000 People In 2020

D'Ann Lawrence White
·12 min read

FLORIDA — While maintaining their health was on the minds of Floridians throughout most of the year, staying safe from the coronavirus was just one of many problems facing residents of the Sunshine State in 2020 and continuing in 2021.

Thousands of small businesses and corporate giants laid off or furloughed workers in 2020, causing a domino effect of problems for Florida families as they struggled to put food on their tables, pay their rents and mortgages, battle the broken unemployment system and cope with a host of mental health symptoms including depression, anxiety and hopelessness.

With leisure and tourism the No. 1 industry in Florida, hotels, theme parks and restaurants were among the hardest hit by coronavirus shutdowns, forcing businesses to send record numbers of Floridians to the unemployment lines. The leisure and tourism industry lost 254,400 jobs in 2020, or 20.3 percent of the jobs available on those industries.

By the first of May, three months after the pandemic was declared, unemployment claims in Florida exceeded a billion dollars as the state experienced a record 11.3 percent unemployment rate.

As of Dec. 28, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity paid out unemployment benefits to 2,159,413 residents totaling $19.7 billion. The unemployment rate as of November, according to the DEO was 6.4 percent.

According to the DEO, nearly 4.7 million unemployment claims have been processed and 98.6 percent of all eligible benefits requested prior to Dec. 11 for reemployment assistance, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance have been paid out.

However, labor advocates note these statistics do not include the thousands of residents who have been rejected for unemployment due to missing information or the thousands of residents who have yet to hear back from the DEO on the status of their unemployment claims.

According to the DEO, Florida lost 1,178,100 jobs from February to April and has since recovered 572,200 jobs, or almost half of the jobs lost when the pandemic struck down the economy.

As for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Extension approved by the federal government on Dec. 27 to provide additional unemployment benefits to residents who remain jobless, it could take some time before residents can expect checks in the mail.

"While the department has been working diligently on implementing these additional benefits, it must first receive guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor before changes can be fully implemented and payments can be issued, as was the case when the CARES Act was initially enacted," said the DEO in a news release issued Dec. 28. "The department's No. 1 priority continues to be ensuring that all eligible Floridians are paid as quickly as possible."

The extension is intended to provide eligible claimants with additional weeks of unemployment benefits as well as $300 in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits for each week the resident receives state or Federal Reemployment Assistance benefits through March 13.

Claimants who are currently receiving PUA or PEUC may need to take specific actions on their claim when they log-in to CONNECT and request benefit payments after Jan. 1. Additionally, the work search and work registration requirements that Gov. Ron DeSantis previously waived are now required again as of Jan. 2.

Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association,said Congress's passage of the $900 billion relief bill in December is good news for Florida's hospitality industry.

The second round of the Paycheck Protection Program includes unique provisions aimed at assisting Florida’s hospitality industry, which continues to endure catastrophic job and revenue losses, she said.

“Millions of hard-working families in Florida’s hospitality industry have been given hope at the end of a very hard year," Dover said. "As a top tourist destination, Florida’s hospitality industry has suffered unparalleled damages from the COVID-19 pandemic. From the beginning of this crisis, FRLA has worked with local, state, and federal leaders, alongside our national partners at the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association to advocate for relief for tens of thousands of Florida restaurants and hotels and their 1.5 million workers. The value to our members cannot be overstated. Simply put, for many, this means the survival of their business and the livelihood of their employees.”

While much of the money from the first round of PPP went to major restaurant and hotel chains, Dover said this second round is structured to aid smaller businesses.

"Companies that employ a total of 300 or more employees at all locations (combined) are deemed ineligible for the PPP," she said. "The plan reflects the reality that many mid-sized and larger restaurant groups are on the verge of bankruptcy and allows restaurants to qualify for PPP if they do not employ more than 300 employees at each physical location."

This round of PPP also provides a business with a forgivable loan based on 2.5 times its monthly payroll costs. Restaurants and hotels, however, can seek forgivable loans based on 3.5 times monthly payroll costs.

And, finally, the legislation include a one-year extension for Troubled Debt Restructuring relief (Section 4013 of the CARES Act), which will allow banks to continue to work with borrowers to obtain additional debt relief through the end of 2021.

The relief package also includes:

  • Direct payments to individuals: $600 for an individual making up to $75,000 a year; $1,200 to a couple making $150,000 a year and $600 for each child dependent.

  • An additional $300 a week will go to individuals receiving unemployment benefits.

Nevertheless, the state's largest employers continue to post a record number of "warn notices" with the DEO, notifying the state of the possibility that they will lay off or furlough additional employees.

Note: By law, employers must notify the state of their intention to lay off or furlough employees. Some businesses may have decided not to go through with the layoffs. Others have rehired employees who were laid off or furloughed.

Here is a sampling of the 532 businesses that submitted warn notices to the DEO in 2020: Among the businesses that sent warn notices to the DEO this year are:

  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Portofino Bay Hotel Orlando - 1,766 jobs

  • Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Lake Buena Vista - 18,015 jobs with another 4,000 expected at the beginning of 2021

  • Hilton - 6,726 jobs

  • Hyatt Regency - 2,916 jobs

  • Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach -213 jobs

  • Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center Kissimmee - 1,311 jobs

  • Marriott International Orlando World Center -1,319 jobs

  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort -1,999 jobs

  • Rosen Hotels and Resorts - 1,948 jobs

  • Wyndham Grand - 74 jobs

  • Sirata Beach Resort and Conference Center - 100 jobs

  • SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica - 3,001 jobs

  • Busch Gardens Tampa - 948 jobs

  • Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld - 482 jobs

  • Southwest Airlines - 870 jobs

  • Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando - 178 jobs

  • Universal Orlando Resort and Parks - 1,123 jobs.

  • Elite Laundry Services - 130 jobs

  • Grand Lux Cafe in Adventura - 101 jobs

  • Bridge Connector of Palm Beach Gardens - 154 jobs

  • Streamsong Resort & Spa in Bowling Green - 280 jobs

  • Eden Rock Miami Beach Hotel - 126 jobs

  • Lockheed Martin in Jacksonville - 90 jobs

  • Centerplate in Orlando - 471 jobs

  • Aramark at the Tampa Convention Center - 143 jobs

  • Aramark at Clover Park Port St. Lucie - 107 jobs

  • Aramark at JetBlue Park - 118 jobs

  • Derby Lane St. Petersburg - 62 jobs

  • Hyatt Regency Orlando - 315 jobs

  • Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale - 269 jobs

  • Newport Beachside Resort in Sunny Isles Beach - 100 jobs

  • TrueCore Behavioral Solutions in Okeechobee - 101 jobs

  • Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - 120 jobs

  • P.F. Chang's China Bistro in Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Gainesville, Miami Beach, Boca Raton, Brandon, Naples, Palm Beach Gardens, Clearwater, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach and Sandestin - 1,451 jobs

  • Brickell Financial Services Miami - 115 jobs

  • Baggage Airlines Guest Services 1,094 jobs

  • Marriott Resorts Orlando - 223 jobs

  • Sheraton Vistana Villages Orlando 130 jobs

  • Victoria's Secret in Sunrise - 99 jobs

  • Vistana Management Orlando - 903 jobs

  • Bright Horizons Children's Centers Jacksonville - 89 jobs

  • The Breakers Palm Beach - 642 jobs

  • Omni-ChampionsGate Resort Hotel Orlando - 541 jobs 42067

  • Nationwide Insurance Gainesville - 101 jobs

  • Hotelier Laundry Lakeland - 93 jobs

  • Sodexo Inc. Lake Buena Vista -144 jobs

  • WHC Payroll Co. dba Walt Disney World Swam - 1,136 jobs

  • Vista Building Maintenance Miami - 184 jobs

  • Marriott Resorts Hospitality Corp. Orlando - 382 jobs

  • Vista Development Inc. Orlando - 312 jobs

  • Marriott Ownership Resorts Orlando - 327 jobs

  • Hotelier Consulting Services - 172 jobs

  • Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort - 139 jobs

  • Universal City Development Partners Orlando 5,389 jobs

  • Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel - 76 jobs

  • Avis Budget Car Rental - 157 jobs

  • Trump Miami Resort Management Doral - 898 jobs

  • Live Nation Entertainment Orlando - 77 jobs

  • Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort - 303 jobs

  • iVox Solutions Port Saint Lucie - 148 jobs

  • Pullman Miami Airport - 70 jobs

  • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood - 1,527 jobs

  • Venus Fashion Inc. Jacksonville - 133 jobs

  • Faena Hotel Miami Beach - 73 jobs

  • Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando - 200 jobs

  • Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort - 164 jobs

  • SunStream Hotels & Resorts - 142 jobs

  • Marrott Village Orlando Complex - 154 jobs

  • JW Marrott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort and Spa - 187 jobs

  • Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables - 83 jobs

  • Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center West Palm Beach - 87 jobs

  • Orlando World Center Marriott - 601 jobs

  • HMSHost Jacksonville International Airport - 190 jobs

  • HMSHost Southwest Florida International Airport - 169 jobs

  • HMSHost Tampa International Airport - 322 jobs

  • HMSHost Miami International Airport - 445 jobs

  • HMSHost Palm Beach International Airport - 141 jobs

  • HMSHost Fort Lauderdale International Airport - 533 jobs

  • HMS Host Orlando International Airport - 782 jobs

  • KPMG Lakehouse Orlando - 242 jobs

  • Shore Club South Beach Hotel Miami Beach - 117 jobs

  • Four Palms Hotel Miami Beach - 100 jobs

  • Stein Mart - 266 jobs

  • Grand Plaza Hotel St. Pete Beach - 94 jobs

  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Convention Center - 75 jobs

  • The Westin Tampa Bay - 75 jobs

  • Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale - 118 jobs

  • The Palms Hotel and Spa Miami Beach - 105 jobs

  • Neiman Marcus Fort Lauderdale - 122 jobs

  • Neiman Marcus Palm Beach - 73 jobs

  • Integrated Mission Support Services Merritt Island - 138 jobs

  • Canaveral Port Authority - 85 jobs

  • Sky Chefs Miami - 290 jobs

  • Qatar Airways Sunrise - 90 jobs

  • IPIC Theaters North Miami Beach - 99 jobs

  • Frontier Airlines Orlando International Airport - 346 jobs 61331

  • Frontier Airlines Miami International Airport - 138 jobs

  • Republic Airways Miami International Airport - 159 jobs

  • Silver Airways - 224 jobs

  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South - 95 jobs

  • Wyndham Vacation Ownership Orlando - 406 jobs

  • Spirit Airlines - 976 jobs

  • Jungle Island Miami - 82 jobs

  • The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club - 90 jobs

  • Caribe Royale Orlando - 360 jobs

  • Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa - 295 jobs

  • Calder Casino Miami Gardens - 254 jobs

  • United Airlines Orlando - 456 jobs

  • United Airlines Tampa - 111 jobs

  • Kimpton EPIC Hotel Miami - 168 jobs

  • JCPenney Jacksonville - 81 jobs

  • Mandarin Oriental Miami Hotel - 180 jobs

  • Cirque Du Soleil - 292 jobs

  • State Farm - 143 jobs

  • T-Mobile - 144 jobs

  • The Golf Channel - 342 jobs

  • PGA National Resort and Spa Palm Beach Gardens - 348 jobs

  • Swissport Orlando International Airport - 402 jobs

  • Historic Tours of America Key West - 435 jobs

  • Bed, Bath & Beyond - 221 jobs

  • The Ritz Carlton Amelia Island - 638 jobs

  • Sawgrass Marrott Golf Resort & Spa - 408 jobs

  • Miami Airport Marriott - 154 jobs

  • Give Kids the World Kissimmee - 171 jobs

  • The Ritz-Carlton Naples - 939 jobs

  • JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort - 1,038 jobs

  • Goodwill Industries - 907 jobs

  • Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - 102 jobs

  • Royal Caribbean Cruises - 519 jobs

  • The Nielsen Co. Oldsmar - 178 jobs

  • Macy's - 301 jobs

  • Ditech Financial - 305 jobs

  • Miami Herald - 70 jobs

  • Concentrix CVG Corp. Tampa - 174 jobs

  • Lucky's Market - 275 jobs

  • Holy Land Experience Ministries - 118 jobs

  • Earth Fare - 483 jobs

  • Punch Bowl Miami - 194 jobs

  • La Carreta restaurants - 288 jobs

  • Grand Orlando Resort - 102 jobs

  • Isla Bella Beach Resort - 130 jobs

  • Waterstone Resort & Marina Boca Raton - 111 jobs

  • Cafe Boulud Palm Beach - 99 jobs

  • Hyatt Regency Sarasota - 114 jobs

  • DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel and Airport Convention Center Miami - 206 jobs

  • Four Seasons Hotel Miami - 312 jobs

  • Beachcomber Beach Resort St. Pete Beach - 117 jobs

  • Grand Plaza Hotel St. Pete Beach - 239 jobs

  • Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill Miami - 93 jobs

  • Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World - 835 jobs

  • Mandarin Oriental Miami - 488 jobs

  • Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach - 103 jobs

  • Four Seasons at The Surf Club Hotel Surfside - 360 jobs

  • Brightline Management - 236 jobs

  • South Seas Island Resort Captiva - 254 jobs

  • Mar-a-Lago Club Palm Beach - 153 jobs

  • Catalina Hotel Miami Beach - 214 jobs

  • Hammock Beach Resort Palm Coast - 246 jobs

  • Miami Air International - 171 jobs

  • The Standard Spa Miami Beach - 236 jobs

  • Hooters - 679 jobs

  • InterContinental Miami - 377 jobs

  • Morgans Hotel Group Miami Beach - 261 jobs

  • YMCA Clearwater - 1,206 jobs

  • Miller's Ale House - 1,613 jobs

  • Medieval Times Kissimmee - 171 jobs

  • Benihana - 655 jobs

  • Planet Hollywood Orlando - 328 jobs

  • Feld Entertainment - 1,464 jobs

  • NewsLink Miami - 188 jobs

  • Hard Rock Cafe Miami - 132 jobs

  • Perry Ellis Miami and Tampa - 328 jobs

  • Hard Rock Cafe Orlando - 510 jobs

  • The Palms Hotel and Spa - 230 jobs

  • Planet Hollywood - 459 jobs

  • Orangetheory Fitness Studios - 112 jobs

  • Marriott St. Petersburg - 81 jobs

  • Food Court at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa - 43 jobs

  • Ponte Vedra Inn & Club - 852 jobs

  • Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach - 393 jobs

  • Fleming's Steakhouse - 452 jobs

  • Carnival Cruise Line - 1,265 jobs

  • North Pinellas Children's Medical Center - 45 jobs

  • Innisbrook Palm Harbor - 433 jobs

  • Avis - 442 jobs

  • The Hertz Corp. - 1,046 jobs

To find out what other companies submitted warn notices in 2020, click here.

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This article originally appeared on the Tampa Patch