PERRYSBURG — Former First Solar employees have been “kept whole” since being laid off in November when
operations were reduced at the local plant.
According to Jay Lake of First Solar Inc., the 450 employees who were displaced on Nov. 17 have continued
to be paid and will be paid at their previous rate through Sunday.
“This means displaced associates will be on the payroll and paid as if they are working during that
time,” Lake said in a statement.
“Associates also received a lump sum bonus in mid-December.”
Lake said the Christmas bonus was $2,000 each.
Beyond providing them a paycheck, the company, which makes solar panels, also assisted with trying to
find new jobs to minimize unemployment.
Lake said at this point they do not have any totals on how many have found new jobs as those who are
unemployed will not be able to file for unemployment benefits until after Jan. 29.
The company also partnered with Mary Dewitt and her team from Ohio Means Jobs to put on eight resume and
interview training sessions over the course of four days in late November and early December.
Later in December the company held a networking event at Owens Community College that was attended by 25
local companies as well as Ohio Means Jobs, Lucas and Wood counties and seven area colleges and
technical schools.
Beyond those measures, First Solar also provided an additional list of companies that, while not
attending the event, were still hiring for various positions. Those details were provided to all those
displaced.
He said more than 220 employees attended the networking event over the two days.
“In total, information regarding potential job opportunities was provided for over 60 companies from
Milan, Michigan to the north, down to Columbus to the south, from as far east as Archbold and as far
west as Bellevue,” Lake said. “We even have folks interviewing with a company from Olive Branch,
Mississippi, later this month.
Lake summarized, “Our displaced associates have been hired by such local companies as Betco, GKN
Driveline, Johns Manville, Dana Corp. (via Manpower of Maumee), Materion/Brush and Sunrise Windows.”
He also said he is aware of several others with pending jobs.