Textron Aviation is set to furlough 7,000 Wichita workers for four weeks. That time will be unpaid, though Textron says employees can use vacation and earned time off during the furlough.

Multiple sources close to the situation tell us the company spoke with the State Commerce Department to inform them of the decision on Tuesday.

Employees were informed this morning.

Textron presently employs 9,000 people in Wichita. The company Wednesday says this move is in a direct response to COVID-19. Four-week furloughs begin next Monday (March 23) and continue through May 29.

The decision from one of the city's largest employers raises concern for impacted workers and their families.

"I have a brother that workers there. I have a son that was planning to do a summer internship there after high school and that's all up in the air now," Amanda Martin says.

Textron released the following statement Wednesday morning, just before 11:30 a.m.:

MEDIA STATEMENT In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the company has been taking increased action with such measures as limiting large group meetings, increasing daily cleaning of its facilities, restricting travel, and cancelling our participation in several global meetings and events. Today we announced we are implementing a four-week furlough for most of our U.S. based employees, to be taken during the Monday, March 23 through Friday, May 29 timeframe. This decision will allow us to do our part in mitigating and containing the spread of the COVID-19 through social distancing, while continuing to support our customers. In addition to the furloughs, we are adjusting production to align with anticipated market demand. As tough as this situation is, the safety and well-being of our employees and customers remains our top priority. This is a rapidly evolving situation and we continue monitoring the guidance of the CDC and local governing health authorities to ensure we are developing the best policies and practices for our company.

Others in Wichita are concerned for their jobs and fear other companies will issue pay cuts or furloughs.

"I am concerned about my job, about the amount of work that we are going to have," Wichita worker Chris Martin says. "It's certainly impacted so many different industries and I'm sure it will impact mine as well."