LDS Church announces limited layoffs

A number of employees of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are being laid off in what a church spokesman called “a planned reduction in workforce” as a result of the "evolving needs of a global church."

Michael Purdy said the reduction primarily affects two church departments: the Publishing Services and Information Communication Systems departments. While he did not give a specific number of layoffs involved, Purdy did indicate the layoffs will comprise 5 to 8 percent of the two departments.

“The action is based solely on the need to be sure that resources are being used wisely to meet the evolving needs of a global church,” Purdy said, indicating that it is not a matter of declining budgets, but rather a matter of “reassigning budgets to meet current needs.”

While the reduction is not a widespread action among the thousands of church employees located around the world, Purdy said church leaders are “keenly aware that behind the numbers are individuals and families.”

“We are offering a substantial severance package to those impacted by these changes and will work to help these individuals find other employment,” Purdy said.