Layoffs continued at Target Corp.'s Minneapolis headquarters with about 100 administrative assistants losing their jobs Thursday.
The company also said it won't fill 40 open spots for administrative assistants.
On March 10, the retailer laid off 1,700 corporate employees in the Twin Cities in an effort to find cost savings and to streamline its headquarters into a more agile organization. With that move, Target's head count dropped to 11,300 at its corporate offices downtown, in west Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park.
Target had been clear that that would not be the end of layoffs. The company said in March that it would cut several thousand jobs over the next two years.
Many administrative assistants expected Thursday's move. In a statement, Target said, "In March, we shared with the internal team that we would be evolving our administrative support model to reflect a reduced headquarters workforce and drive efficiencies."
Previously, many executives at director level and above at Target had an administrative assistant. Now, administrative assistants will work with at least two executives, a company spokeswoman said.
Target said the affected employees will receive at least 15 weeks of pay as part of a severance package based on their years of service. The company will also pay the employer portion of their benefits for the next six months.
And as the company did in the large layoff in March, the newly idled workers will be able to take free executive education certification classes at the University of St. Thomas and will receive a discount if they want to pursue evening or part-time MBA courses.
"Target is transforming its business given rapid changes in retail and technology, evolving guest expectations and the competitive landscape," the company said in Thursday's statement. "We are taking a long-term view, which includes reducing complexity and controlling costs to become more agile and innovative."
Kavita Kumar • 612-673-4113
