In a recent development, Optum, a healthcare company owned by UnitedHealth Group, has announced layoffs affecting 364 employees in California. The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring plan, with a total of 525 employees being laid off nationwide.

The affected workers, primarily located at urgent care facilities, received notification through a letter sent by Optum to the Employment Development Department. The layoffs and departmental closures are expected to take place in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties.

The impacted locations include Glendora, Montebello, Covina, Pasadena, Long Beach, Redlands, Highland, Los Angeles, Beaumont, Irvine, Hayward, El Segundo, and Cerritos. It is unclear at this time whether severance pay will be offered to the affected employees, as Optum did not provide any details regarding compensation in their announcement.

The layoffs are set to occur in a series of eight "waves" starting in September, with the final wave being completed in January. The company has not specified the reasons behind the layoffs and departmental closures, leaving employees and local residents wondering about the future of these facilities.

Optum's decision to downsize their workforce comes amidst a challenging time for the healthcare industry. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put immense strain on healthcare systems across the nation, leading companies to reevaluate their operations and make tough decisions to stay afloat.

As the impacted employees navigate through the uncertainty of job loss, it remains to be seen how the healthcare industry in California will be reshaped in the aftermath of these layoffs.