North Carolina-based hospital system Novant Health confirmed Monday that about 175 of its more than 35,000 employees failed to comply with the company’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program, and as a result, their employment has been terminated.
In detail: Novant Health announced on Monday that around 175 employees remained unvaccinated and were not exempt for religious or medical reasons, so the company terminated their employment.
Based in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Novant Health spans across four states with 35,000 employees in 15 hospitals, 800 clinics, and hundreds of out-patient facilities.
After announcing the vaccine policy in July, 98.6% of the hospital system’s more than 35,000 employees had been vaccinated as of September 21.
Novant Health gave the remaining approximately 375 employees a five-day, unpaid suspension, during which the employees could come into compliance with the vaccine mandate.
Novant Health’s comments: On Monday, Novant Health Director of Media and Influencer Relations Megan Rivers reported that nearly 200 additional employees came into compliance with the mandate, bringing the company’s vaccine rate to over 99%.
Rivers also confirmed that Novant Health fired the remaining approximately 175 employees who had not come into compliance.
“Less than 1% opted not to comply,” Rivers tweeted. “We’re proud of the 35,000+ team members who chose to participate in the vaccine mandate program with patient safety at forefront.”
In a separate tweet, Rivers reiterated her gratitude: “We are thrilled vast majority of team members gave @NovantHealth patients and visitors, as well as our team members, better protection regardless of where they are in our health system.”
Worth noting: Novant Health did not disclose a specific number, but they indicated that they had granted medical and religious exemptions for some employees, adding that exempt employees are required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and put on eye-wear protection while on facility premises.
For employees who received a two-dose vaccine, they will have until October 15 to receive their second dose and thereby remain in compliance with the vaccine policy.
See the tweets:
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