Lexington and Trinity regions jarred by sudden furniture store layoffs days before the holidays

The recent layoff of hundreds of local furniture store employees across the Triad was the result of economic uncertainty.

This is according to a memo sent to employees by United Furniture Industries, the parent company located in Okolona Mississippi.

"At the instruction of the Board of Directors of United Furniture Industries Inc. and all subsidiaries, we regret to inform you that due to unforeseen business circumstances the company has been forced to make the difficult decision to terminate the employment of all its employees, effective immediately, on November 21, 2022, with the exception of over-the-road drivers that are out on delivery," reads part of the memo letting employees know they had been laid off.

The memo, dated Nov. 21, arrived in employee inboxes late last week with a number of employees reporting to work without having seen it. Some drivers were delivering products before knowledge of the layoffs spread.

"Over-the-road drivers that are out on delivery will be paid for the balance of the week," reads part of the memo. "Whether or not you have completed your delivery, please immediately return the equipment, inventory, and delivery documents for those deliveries that have been completed to one of the following locations: Winston-Salem, N.C., Verona, Miss., or Victorville, Calif., location. To be clear, do not complete any additional deliveries."

The memo came days before Thanksgiving.

"We regret that this difficult and unexpected situation has made this necessary," the memo continues. "Additional information will be provided shortly."

With branches across the country, including North Carolina and California. The layoffs impacted thousands across the country. In North Carolina, hundreds throughout Randolph County, nearby Davidson County, and Winston-Salem are believed to have been impacted.

In Randolph and Davidson County, there is still has an answering machine taking messages.

"We're sorry, there is no one available to take your call," is the message customers are greeted with after calling the site that oversees the various locations in North Carolina, including the Trinity and Lexington locations.

Managers at Triad locations could not be reached for comment.

This article originally appeared on The Courier-Tribune: The Triad reels.from recent furniture layoffs