Source: Facebook

DeKalb Medical has been dealing with financial woes of late, but the Board of Directors has decided its time to increase the pay for more than 200 of its employees.

According to a press release from the hospital, the board voted to adopt a “minimum living wage” meaning all employees will make at least $12 an hour.

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“Our employees spend their days caring for others and doing very important, but sometime under-recognized work” DeKalb Medical CEO and Vice Chair of the Board Bob Wilson said.  “Every position in our organization plays a definitive role in the delivery of quality patient care.  It stands to reason that we should respect each position and every employee enough to pay at least a livable wage.”

Wilson and his firm are also the longtime attorneys for City Schools of Decatur, the city of Decatur and Avondale Estates.

He called the new policy a good business decision, according to the press release.

“Our people are the foundation of our ‘product’,” Wilson said. “Stability and retention are primary elements for providing great care and we need engaged employees to deliver really great care. Providing really great care is why we’re here.”

The press release says that unlike the federal minimum wage, the “livable wage” accounts for the cost of housing and food in DeKalb County. The new policy is effective as of the Aug. 13 pay period.

Recently DeKalb Medical laid off 60 employees and decided not to fill an additional 80 vacancies. The previous CEO, COO and CFO also left the organization.

According to Georgia Health News, the hospital was dealing with a high number of uninsured patients and problems with billing, collections and claims denials.

To read the full story, click here.

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