The state of Indiana has laid off hundreds of employees during the pandemic – and has since hired hundreds more – in a staff turnover struggle that peaked in 2022, according to data from the Indiana State Department of Human Resources.
Agency leaders say new employee-friendly policies from Republican Governor Eric Holcomb are already helping, with more to come possibly in the way of competitive pay.
Indiana employed about 1,740 fewer people in September 2022 than when the pandemic began in March 2020.
But the state lost and hired more people overall as it struggled to keep up with turnover month after month. In January 2021, the state entered a 12-month period of decline, losing approximately 1,830 people through January 2022.
Staffing has raised to about 260 people since. Agencies are hopeful their fortunes and staff levels are trending upward.
