Category Archives: Terminated

The layoff runway lengthens

Posted on by • Posted in Employee Layoffs, Job Loss, Layoff Runway, Mass Layoffs, Media Backlash, Security Risk, Talent Management, Terminated • Leave a comment
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/the-layoff-runway-lengthens.html?origin=PayerE&utm_source=PayerE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=2893H2397267F7G

The layoff process used to be abrupt: a worker learns their job has been cut and they leave the same day (sometimes with a security escort). Now, some companies are alerting employees that their roles will be eliminated months in advance, The Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 10. 

The longer runways — adopted by the likes of Wells Fargo and Disney — benefit both employer and employee, according to the Journal. 

Many companies overhired during the pandemic, causing the white-collar job market to tighten. Employers, now sporting the upper hand, are adding additional steps to their hiring processes to ensure they choose the right candidate. A longer goodbye gives them time to be more selective when bringing on replacements. 

Advance layoff notice also benefits employees by giving them more time to find a new opportunity and figure out their finances while still collecting a paycheck. This reflects positively on employers, who have faced increased social media backlash for mass layoffs this year. It also shows existing and prospective employees that the company aims to treat them fairly — a practice that could improve retention rates in the future, Wade Rogers, senior vice president of global human resources and chief compliance officer at the chemical company Huntsman, told the Journal. 

“How we handle ourselves and how we handle our relationships with our associates matters,” Mr. Rogers said. 

A long layoff period is more dangerous at some companies, such as those where a begrudged employee can access confidential patents or business plans, according to the Journal. Others worry that workers who receive advance notice of their impending layoff will lose motivation while continuing to collect their pay. 

Jennifer Bender, who most recently served as senior vice president of human resources at the technology company Change Healthcare, recommended letting these employees know they could still be terminated sooner if they give the company due cause. At her company, which informed people of their layoff date two to four weeks in advance, this reduced security concerns. 

“It’s really a best practice at this point,” Ms. Bender told the Journal.

CEO resignations hit record high

Posted on by • Posted in Board, CEO, Employee Staffing Shortage, Inflation, Leadership, Leadership Culture, New Opportunity, Resignation, Retirement, Scandal, Step Down, Terminated • Leave a comment
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/ceo-resignations-hit-record-high.html?utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter

Dozens of hospital CEOs have resigned this year as a record number of chiefs across all industries have exited their roles, according to a May 18 Challenger, Gray & Christmas report. 

Nearly 520 CEOs left their posts between Jan. 1 and the end of April, the highest total since the executive outplacement and coaching firm began tracking CEO changes in 2002. The total is up 18 percent from the 440 CEO exits announced in the same period of 2021. 

Thirty-six hospital CEOs exited their roles in the first four months of this year. That’s up from the 20 hospital chiefs who resigned in the same period last year, according to the report. 

CEOs are leaving their positions and businesses are making changes at the top for several reasons, Challenger, Gray & Christmas Senior Vice President Andrew Challenger said. 

“Inflation, staffing shortages, and possible recession concerns are giving more cause for companies to reevaluate leadership,” Mr. Challenger said. “This, after years of companies trying to figure out the right formula to attract and retain talent and create a culture of inclusion, issues that often start at the top.”

Nurses accuse PeaceHealth of retaliation after raising safety concerns

Posted on by • Posted in Employee Complaint, Health System, Hospital, Hospital Industry, National Labor Relations Board, Nurse Agency Staffing, Nurse Staffing, Quality of Care, Retaliation, Terminated • Leave a comment
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hr/nurses-accuse-peacehealth-of-retaliation-after-raising-safety-concerns.html?origin=QualityE&utm_source=QualityE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=2893H2397267F7G
Responding to reports of retaliation against nurses - American Nurse

Nurses who worked at hospitals owned or operated by Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth are accusing the health system of retaliating against them when they raised concerns about patient and worker safety, NBC News reported Feb. 6.

Nurses spoke to the news division about their experiences, including Marian Weber, a travel nurse who was contracted to work at PeaceHealth Ketchikan (Alaska) Medical Center. She told NBC News that she raised concerns about critically ill COVID-19 patients who were placed in a unit with no central monitoring system and spoke up against the hospital’s suggestion of keeping a nurse in the room for 12 hours.

She said PeaceHealth terminated her contract in August 2021.

Ms. Weber filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board after her contract was terminated, and a hearing is scheduled for June 7, according to radio station KRBD. She seeks reimbursement for travel expenses, among other things.

In addition to Ms. Weber, Sarah Collins told NBC News that she lost her staff nursing job at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver after raising safety concerns, specifically regarding staffing and nurse-to-patient ratios.

According to the news division, Ms. Collins was put on a three-month leave in September after giving a local news interview. She told NBC News she was terminated for “operating outside her scope of practice” and “failing to follow policy.” She also has a complaint pending with the National Labor Relations Board.

Separately, NBC News reported, there is an ongoing lawsuit, filed in April 2020, claiming that PeaceHealth Southwest prevented workers from taking required meal and rest breaks allowed under law and that workers were discouraged from reporting missed breaks.

In a statement shared with Becker’s, PeaceHealth declined to comment on personnel issues or pending cases but said it emphasizes ensuring safety of employees and patients.

“We can wholeheartedly reinforce that the voices and opinions of our caregivers matter, and any concern brought forward is thoroughly reviewed,” the statement said. “We have hardwired safety into all our processes, including a longstanding ‘safe to share’ platform that empowers every caregiver — no matter their role — with the ability to confidentially raise opportunities to ensure safer care. This best-practice approach is part of our commitment to continuously improve and vision to ensure 100 percent safe care.”

“PeaceHealth medical centers’ overall quality and safety outcomes have been maintained in spite of the challenges presented by the pandemic, and our approach continues to ensure top-tier care in the communities we serve,” the health system added.

Read the NBC News report here. Read the KRBD report here.