Until you're one of the 150 who has your livelihood taken away. Martin Niemoller had some pretty good insight into this mentality.
On another note, wasn't Houston Methodist already suffering a staffing shortage prior to this mandate/firings?
some states are right to work states regarding labor laws. We all choose to work at healthcare facilities based on personal factors, compensation, work place practices and culture. It’s never a win win. Always a compromise for the individual.
Since covid, employees have either resigned, or decreased work obligations. And that’s is ?% their right. Some have even ghosted positions and fell off the face of the earth. Still their right to do so. I support their right to do so 100%.
The institution establishes the rules, they are not obligated to conform to the employee. They are not obligated to pay employees’ mortgages, rent, etc.
The focus for the healthcare institutions is policy and procedures based on safety and liability. All those employees were given a choice with an ample deadline and stated consequences of deadline. Their work rights being respected. They are free to express legal right in protest.
It’s no different than any other requirement for frontline / essential employees. If I fail to get flu shot, fail to complete yearly education, maintain state / federal license requirements, I face initial suspension. If a certain time goes by I face dismissal. All these do not change due to my personal convictions. Only exception would be a religious/ medical exemptions. Nobody questions those established practices.
It’s my right to either conform or to pursue other interests outside the facility, or profession.
Healthcare institutions want to limit potential vulnerabilities and lawsuits. It’s their right to do so. Patients potentially may sue for malpractice, insurers will with hold money for hospital acquired illnesses. Vaccines will limit liability for the employer and employee.
Hospitals are open to pay travel / agency at much higher rate of pay. Hospital have increased salaries, sign on bonuses, tuition reimbursement. this will be a regional issue for hospital systems and not every locality. But will be interesting how it develops.