UHN considers leave of absence and terminations for unvaccinated staff
Unvaccinated employees at the University Health Network could be forced to take a leave of absence during the fourth wave of COVID-19, as the health system considers new measures to convince vaccine-resistant workers to take the shot.
The change in strategy comes after Ontario Premier Doug Ford authorized a new health directive impacting thousands of employees in health care and education, requiring proof of vaccination, a medical reason for remaining unvaccinated, or mandatory COVID-19 testing to weed out the virus.
Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore indicated the new rules – set to take effect on Sept. 7 – were a baseline and gave hospitals and other pubic sector employers the power the go further in order to drive up vaccine uptake.
Kevin Smith, the health network's CEO, says roughly 950 employees – eight per cent of the workforce –remains unvaccinated and could be offered a stark choice in the coming weeks.
"We have to insist that people actually participate in a vaccine program, or think about taking a leave of absence," Smith told CTV News Toronto.
UHN was among the first employers in Ontario to require unvaccinated individuals to submit to regular COVID-19 testing before arriving for work, a policy that quickly boosted vaccination rates since it took effect in early august.
Smith said the vaccine uptake rose from 85 per cent in late July to the current rate of 92 per cent of employees vaccinated against COVID-19. The remaining 950 employees entered into a "swabbing program" with regular testing up to 48 hours before their shift.
While Smith said the first phase of the jab or swab program has been a "remarkable success" they encountered a small group of unvaccinated employees who refused to be regularly tested – leading to tough talk from hospital officials.
"There was a very small number of people who said I don't want to test. And we said that that's really not an option," Smith said.
The hospital went further and gave employees who resisted the hospital's rules a cooling off period from work.
"We had very frank dialogues with [them] and said ... here's a couple of weeks off for you to consider whether that's really your position that you don't wish to comply with the hospital's policies. Happy to say we now have 100 per cent compliance," Smith said.
The success of that hard lined approach, combined with new provincial guidelines, convinced UHN to take a second look at their minimum standards for employment, including asking unvaccinated employees to work from home or take a leave of absence.
While Smith said UHN would "love to avoid termination wherever possible" it could be a last resort option if all other efforts fail the convince employees of the benefits of the vaccine.
"The needs of the patient comes first. That at times will require us to make very difficult decisions by always in the best interests of patients," Smith said.
"These need to be the safest possible environments for patients families and our at risk staff."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.