Merge Laying off 180

Merge Healthcare, a medical imaging software and services company, is laying off 180 people, or 28 percent of its current workforce, as part of a “rightsizing” initiative.

Approximately 45 of those jobs are in North America and Canada and approximately 115 positions are offshore, including consultants.

The company will recognize a charge in its financial statements for the first quarter ending March 31 of approximately $2 million, consisting of approximately $1.3 million in severance costs.