The Star Entertainment Group, forced by government Covid-19 directives to cease gaming, banquet, and F&B operations in Sydney, Gold Coast, and Brisbane, leaving only limited hotel services, has announced that it was standing down about 90% of its workforce.
A company statement explained, “The Star has taken a very difficult, but necessary, decision in relation to its workforce. We are in the process of temporarily standing down over 90% of our approximately 9,000 employees. These stand downs include senior management. To assist our employees at this time, The Star has provided two weeks of paid pandemic leave. In addition, employees will be able to access any accrued annual and long service leave entitlements.”
Chairman John O’Neill commented, “This is a unique environment and one beyond our control in which we’re determined to balance the necessary measures needed to protect the business while considering the considerable human impact to our workforce.”
These measures are intended to lower operating costs and reduce capital expenditure during the period of the coronavirus crisis.