FirstEnergy Announces 350 Job Cuts Amid Restructuring

AKRON, Ohio — FirstEnergy Corp. announced Thursday that it plans to lay off approximately 350 employees across five states as part of a restructuring effort aimed at improving efficiency and customer service.

Officials confirmed that the layoffs represent less than 3% of the company’s overall workforce, which totals more than 12,000 employees in states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The specific states and departments affected by the job cuts have not been disclosed.

Jennifer Young, a spokesperson for FirstEnergy, stated, “There will be minimal impact to our front line or bargaining unit employees. We remain committed to ensuring safe, reliable power for our customers, and we do not expect the organizational changes to impact our ability to maintain the electric system.”

The layoffs come after FirstEnergy adopted a new operating model under its recent leadership team, which focuses on decentralizing decision-making to better serve customers and adapt to regulatory environments. “We are eliminating certain roles while expanding others to ensure the company is structured to operate efficiently, deliver an exceptional customer experience and meet challenges and opportunities now and in the future,” Young added.

While FirstEnergy has not provided a timeline for when the layoffs will take effect, the company indicated a transition to this new model would prioritize both customer relations and operational efficiency. The restructuring follows additional initiatives that aim to enhance the company’s delivery and service as it navigates challenges presented by evolving market conditions.

As the company moves forward, its focus remains clear: to ensure the sustainability of electric service amid changes in staffing and organizational structure.