Old Lyme organization announces layoffs

Old Lyme, Conn. (WTNH) -- The idea of losing your job is never a pleasant thought, but it's a reality for people employed by one company in Old Lyme that just announced layoffs.

INC Research, a research organization which did contract work with Pfizer, will be laying off 65 of its 81 workers starting in May.

Tony Sheriden, of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, gave the following reaction to Pfizer's reorganization a couple of years ago.

"I'm feeling very comfortable with the changes that have occurred are finally ending and things are settling down," Sheriden said.

News 8 was unable to contact anyone at the Old Lyme location. The town's first selectman and others in town are disappointed.

"We really need companies around here to help the economy go and get up and running again," said Keith Fox.

"I'm very disappointed by that kind of news," said Donna Works. "People need jobs in order to have a good quality of life."

The company pays a little more than $7,000 in property taxes, but that loss could be compounded if laid off workers move out of town.

"I think it's really disappointing that people who have careers are now having to get pink slips and have to leave," said Fox.

Maybe not so much in this global economy though.

"So I think that you're not going to see the same kind of impact massive withdrawal from the community as a result of these kinds of layoffs anymore," said Sheriden.

Apparently some of the workers may already be working from home because 15 of the 81 did not receive pink slips.