This story was updated with additional comments
Marriott International, Inc., headquartered in Bethesda, announced Sunday they will lay off 833 employees as part of “mass layoffs” effective Jan. 3, 2025 according to Work Adjustment and Returning Notification (WARN) on the Maryland Department of Labor website.
Marriott is the the third largest hotel chain in the world.
“It’s obviously deeply disappointing news, not something that we ever want to hear, of a major employer like Marriott letting go of employees,” County Council President Andrew Friedson said during a media briefing Monday.
He said it is the understanding that Marriott is making global changes and some of those employees will be offered other positions within the organization, so “it’s a little unclear at this point of exactly what the net impact is going to be.”
“It is concerning to hear a large employer like this making major changes, and something that we’re monitoring very closely,” Friedson said.
During a media briefing Wednesday, County Executive Marc Elrich said, “Marriott has been an important partner in the county for many decades. That’s not going to change.” He said he reached out to have a conversation with Marriott leaders about the decision and future plans.
“That’s one thing that we can learn from talking to them, is what is underlying this decision. That will help us gauge the implications in broader terms in the county,” Elrich said. He anticipates Marriott will continue to employ several thousand people from the new Bethesda headquarters for years to come.
