These 6 companies laid people off in November in Wisconsin

The unemployment rate continues to be low in Wisconsin, but it isn't the complete picture of the state's economic outlook.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state's unemployment rate in October was 3.2% up 0.1% from the month before but still below the national average unemployment rate at 3.9%.

However, according to the Department of Workforce Development, 5,400 people were newly unemployed raising the number of unemployed people to 102,000 for the year. The state also gained 3,600 workers and the total number of employed people for the year is 3.1 million.

In certain circumstances, companies are required to tell the state's Department of Workforce Development about any layoffs, also called a warn notice. DWD tracks these layoffs. 

More:These 7 companies laid people off in October in Wisconsin

In November, warn notices included layoffs in industries as widespread as healthcare and hospitality. You can stay up to date with employers in Wisconsin submitting layoff notices by checking WARN notices with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's database.

Here is the list of companies that laid people off in November in Wisconsin:

Xcel Energy Inc.

Workers at Xcel Energy face an impending workforce reduction in early 2024 at the company's Wisconsin SkyPark location in Eau Claire. The layoffs will affect 28 workers, the DWD notice said, and the reduction is expected to be permanent. Xcel Energy notified the state of the layoffs on Nov. 29.

The layoffs will begin taking effect Feb. 1, 2024.

ProHealth Care Inc.

Through a partnership with Optum, a healthcare services company, ProHealth Care transition more than 800 employees at ProHealth facilities in Waukesha, Oconomowoc, Mukwonago, Brookfield, New Berlin, Delafield, Pewaukee, Watertown, Muskego, Waterford, Sussex and Hartland. The layoffs impact workers in revenue cycle management, information technology, informatics, analytics and inpatient care management departments, and those workers will transition to Optum.

“ProHealth Care has a long history of building strong strategic partnerships to accelerate our progress and better meet the needs of our patients,” said Susan Edwards, chief executive officer at ProHealth Care. “Our work with Optum will strengthen our administrative functions as we continue our growth as a premier independent, community-based health system.”

The changes take effect Jan. 27, 2024; 835 employees will be impacted by that change.

Transcontinental Packaging

Workers at Transcontinental Packaging learned on Nov. 16 the facility in Tomah is closing in January, impacting 90 workers. The facility will be permanently closed in February.

“In line with our priority of optimizing the return on our assets, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency, we have made the decision, after thorough consideration, to close our Tomah, Wisconsin, plant," Jeff Lasley, senior vice president of dairy, protein and pet food (DPP) for TC Transcontinental Packaging said in a statement. "We regret the impact of this decision on our employees who have been a strong team of contributors since the acquisition of the plant by TC Transcontinental in 2018. We thank our 89 employees and will ensure they receive the respect they deserve, including support in their career transition.”

Goodfellaz Pizza

Five people at GoodFellaz Pizza in Spring Green lost their jobs in October when the restaurant closed. The company filed the notice with the state on Nov. 14.

Saputo Cheese USA Inc.

A total of 187 Saputo Cheese workers in Belmont are going to lose their jobs as the company plans to close the plant in late 2023 or early 2024. The cheese manufacturer notified the employees in August and the state on Nov. 1.

Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel

The Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel in Oshkosh is shutting down putting 33 people out of work but possibly only for a few months. The hotel is undergoing renovations, which are slated to start in January 2024 and go until March.