Get All Access for $5/mo

Nearly 2,000 Workers Will Be Laid Off After QVC Distribution Center Catches Fire Terminations are expected to begin in February.

By Chloe Arrojado Edited by Jessica Thomas

picture alliance | Getty Images

A Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification (WARN) notification released Wednesday reveals that 1,953 people will be laid off because of the closure of a QVC distribution center in North Carolina following a large fire. The fire happened last month, damaging most of the facility and killing one person.

Though the report indicates that the center is permanently closed, a company spokesperson says this is not necessarily the case.

"The WARN notification to the state and local governmental officials is a federal obligation based on the loss of employment by our team members at this time, and it allows the various state agencies to begin to extend valuable assistance to our team members," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Related: Why is Finding a Job Difficult for Laid-off Employees?

According to a letter obtained by WRAL, workers are expected to be terminated from employment starting February 1, with all terminations expected to occur by mid-2022. QVC told McClatchy News it would start giving "separation benefits" to affected workers during this time.

"We are still assessing the impact of the fire and, while we haven't made any long-term decisions about the site, we already know the building will be closed for an extended period and there will not be work there for the team for the foreseeable future," a spokesperson wrote in an email to WRAL.

The distribution center is one of Rocky Mount, N.C.'s largest employers.

Related: CEO Lays off 900 Employees in Shocking Video Call

Chloe Arrojado

Entrepreneur Staff

Editorial Assistant

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Franchise 500 Annual Ranking

50 Franchise CMOs Who Are Changing the Game

Get to know the industry's most influential marketing power players.

Thought Leaders

6 Tips From a Clean Beauty Entrepreneur

Sarah Biggers went from a newbie in the natural beauty space to a pro in just a few years. Here are six things she wishes she'd known at the beginning.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.