Lafayette company not closing

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Announcements of layoffs are common these days, but one Lafayette company changed its mind about letting employees go just days before their branch was due to close.

"My first thought was wow, I just got another job," said Shane Hans, one of TeleService Direct's Lafayette employees.

In fact, employees are keeping the jobs they had. In February, Indianapolis-based TeleServices Direct gave notice the Lafayette branch would close April 4th and 279 people would be unemployed. The telemarketing company changed its decision with a week to before the shut down.

"We've been looking at ways to reduce expenses. We had to tighten our belts," said TeleService Direct's Chief Administrative Officer, Steve Lair.

Employee response to the announcement varied, but most are thrilled to still have a job.

"We had thunderous applause throughout the center," said employee Linda Forham.

"I felt a lot of weight come off my shoulders," said Claudio Gomez who has worked at TeleServices Direct for six years.

"Everybody is like, whew, big relief," said Hans when he heard the announcement the branch would remain open.

Some employees spent the last two months trying to find another job before the center closed, but had no success.

"The last two months have been really stressful, just going out and looking for jobs. People saying they are hiring, but they don't call you back. It's hard just to find people who are hiring," said employee Melinda Glenn.

About 80 people left after the company announced the decision to close the Lafayette branch. 200 people will continue to get paychecks from the company.

Many worry how long those paychecks will continue in these uncertain times, but Teleservice is trying to reassure its employees.

"This isn't a temporary thing. This a permanent decision," explained Lair.

TeleServices Direct even hopes to start hiring again in the next year.