Cerner to layoff approximately 250 workers

[tacobell fan]

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Cerner will be laying off approximately 250 workers, the company confirmed to KCTV5 News.

The move is part of an effort to "identify organizational efficiencies" as the company moves forward to a new operating model.

“As mentioned in our Earnings call earlier this year, we’re looking to identify organizational efficiencies as we implement our new operating model. Part of that strategy includes a realignment of resources focused on key growth areas across the company," Cerner said in a statement. "We’ve onboarded nearly 3,000 associates this year and will continue to hire hundreds more throughout 2019, many of those in Kansas City. Impacted associates are eligible for those opportunities.”

The 250 workers are less than one percent of the company's workforce.

“Success. Success this company has been around for 40 years founded in 1979 its worth $22 billion. Right now, it’s the largest private employer in KC, this is a powerhouse,” Stephen Pruitt, Gottlieb Chair of Finance UMKC, said.

A major healthcare technologies company, that digitizes medical records, which for Pruitt, the lay-off of nearly 250 employees is no surprise.

“All companies go through EBS and flows and right now Cerner has undergone some changes over the last couple of years,” Pruitt said.

One major change is its partnership with Starboard Value, a New York based investment adviser. 

“They are looking to make the company more profitable than it has in the past,” Pruitt said.

Cerner officials say those who have been laid off will continue working until November 5.

It's unknown how many Kansas City's nearly 14,000 Cerner workers are impacted.