100+ UCHealth Employees Terminated For Failing To Get Vaccinated
Over 100 workers employed by UCHealth in Colorado have been terminated for failing to comply with the healthcare network's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
On Monday (Oct. 4), UCHealth confirmed the termination of 119 of its employees across the state for not getting vaccinated for COVID-19, according to The Denver Channel.
UCHealth first announced the vaccine requirement for all of its employees on July 28; as per that announcement (which you can read in full here) all UCHealth employees, providers, volunteers, and partners were to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by Friday, Oct. 1.
Dan Weaver, a spokesperson for UCHealth said the 119 employees being terminated neither received any of the three available COVID-19 vaccines nor provided any documentation citing a medical or religious exemption.
Back in July, the healthcare network stated that exemptions towards not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine would only be granted for valid medical or religious reasons. Anyone who received an exemption will be required to wear a mask at all times in all UCHealth facilities and will also be required to test weekly for COVID-19.
Of the 119 employees who have been let go, 54 worked in the metro Denver region and 33 worked in northern Colorado, according to Weaver.
“No hospital wants to lose valued employees, but we know vaccines save lives and increase safety for everyone,” Weaver said.
“We appreciate our staff members and providers who have chosen to be vaccinated to protect their family members, coworkers, and our patients. Our dedicated health care workers are improving the health of Colorado’s communities during what has been an extremely difficult time for everyone in health care.”
UCHealth officials warned in July that those not in compliance with the vaccine policy could face termination.
Although over 100 employees have been let go from their jobs with UCHealth, those who have been terminated only make up .5% of the 26,500 UCHealth employees statewide.
Should they choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Weaver said the terminated employees are “welcome” and “encouraged” to reapply for their positions.
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