Employees suddenly laid off from Mountain West Research

Mountain West Research in Idaho Falls closed its call center in Idaho Falls yesterday, leaving employees with very little notice to find new work.

Employees gathered today at Mountain West Research to collect their final paychecks. They heard rumors of upcoming layoffs, but when they brought those concerns to supervisors, they were denied. However, yesterday employees received calls in the afternoon stating their jobs would be terminated immediately for unknown reasons. They were given the opportunity to speak with a representative for Mountain West Research’s corporate headquarters today.

Josh Bradley had been working for Mountain West Research since September and said when we was offered the job he was not told it would be temporary. “I was not happy, because me and my roommates all work here. We don’t have money saved because we’ve been paying rent, and now we’re left without jobs and without money to pay bills and expenses,” said Bradley.

Corah Miagalles, an employee since July said the job at Mountain West Research helped move her off the streets and into an apartment where her children finally had a place to call home.

I felt like I went five steps forward and now I’m going 10 steps backward and I’m struggling. I don’t know what to do. I’m kind of scared and nervous and kind of lost in the dark,” said Miagalles.

Both Bradley and Miagalles will have to start looking for work again, a task that’s doesn’t come easy for a full time student and a mother of two. Bradley said he will take this experience as a lesson learned and make wiser choices with his next job. “I need to a pick a job that’s more secure, and I need to make sure I know what’s going on and a little more about the company before I take the job,” said Bradley.”

Mountain West Research did not return phone calls or emails to Local News 8 for comment. The Pocatello and Salt Lake City centers of Mountain West Research are still operating.