Des Moines medical center offers workers chance to retire, go part-time

Des Moines, IA-based Mercy Hospital Medical Center offered its employees the chance to voluntarily resign from their jobs or switch from full-time to part-time status, according to a memo sent to Mercy's more than 6,900 employees. The voluntary staff reductions come as many Des Moines-area businesses face cutbacks and job eliminations in the face of an economic recession. However, Mercy officials emphasized that the offer was not strictly about the economy: The hospital views the offer as a benefit to employees who are planning to change their status with the company.