More than 300 Novant Health employees suspended for non-compliance with vaccination policy

This article has 238 words with a reading time of approximately 1 minute and 11 seconds.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (WBTV) – Hundreds of Novant Health employees have been suspended for failing to adhere to the health system’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination schedule, officials said.

As of this week, around 375 Novant Health employees in 15 hospitals, 800 clinics and hundreds of outpatient care facilities have been confirmed not to comply with the vaccination schedule and cannot report for work, according to a press release. . Those employees will have the option to comply with an unpaid five-day suspension, health system officials said.

Those who still do not comply after the suspension period will be fired from Novant Health, the statement said.

According to Novant Health, approximately 98.6% of the more than 35,000 Novant Health employees comply with the mandatory vaccination program. Team members are considered compliant if they have received the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine, a first dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or if they have requested and obtained a medical or religious exemption.

Employees who have started a two-dose vaccine series have until Oct. 15 to get their second dose and stay in compliance, a press release said.

Novant Health team members who have obtained a medical or religious exemption are required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and wear N95 respirator masks or other appropriate PPE, as well as protective eyewear when work on the premises of the health system, staff said.

The health system announced the compulsory vaccination program earlier this summer.

Copyright 2021 WBTV. All rights reserved.