Thousands of layoffs that have hollowed out many of Calgary’s downtown office towers are translating into tough times for health-care businesses that offer services covered by workplace insurance plans.
Dentists, massage therapists and optometrists say they’re cutting staff and getting by with lower profits as they wait for the economy to turn around and employment levels to bounce back.
Meanwhile, a human resources expert says employees who have kept their jobs could see cutbacks in their benefits if the downturn drags on much longer.
Dentist Kellen Smith, 34, who has owned Welcome Smile Dental in the city for eight years, said he had to lay off a support person just this week due to lower demand, especially for such elective procedures as teeth whitening and veneers.
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