Five employees resign from WMC due to mandate

Five employees resign from WMC due to mandate
 
WORLAND (WNE) —Five employees resigned from Banner Health Washakie Medical Center in Worland last month rather than comply with Banner Health’s company-wide vaccine mandate. 
The mandate, first announced on July 20, stated “To protect patients, team members and the community, today Banner Health notified its employees that being vaccinated for COVID-19 will be a condition of employment. With limited expectations, all team members have until November 1 to be fully vaccinated.” 
As the deadline drew closer, Banner Health officials decided, if not vaccinated by Nov. 15, employees would be taken off of the schedule. 
It was stated that if the employee was still not vaccinated by the end of the month, other measures would be taken. 
Employees had the opportunity to seek religious or medical exemptions. 
Ultimately, four part-time employees and one full-time employee left the company, as it was announced at the Hospital Board meeting on Nov. 23. 
“One is far too many for my perspective,” said Washakie Medical Center CEO Jay Stallings. 
He added that the company has been careful to protect the rights of individuals who have asked for the exemptions. Those who have filed for and received exemptions must be tested once per week and wear protective personal equipment (PPE).