Following a recent announcement by Cooper University Health Care, and subsequent commitments from St. Joseph’s and Inspira health systems, to raise their minimum wages to $15 per hour, Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health has joined the effort.
The health system, which has hospitals in South Jersey, announced its commitment Thursday.
“We take seriously our value of putting people first and the important role our employees play in delivering a great experience to those who choose us,” said Bruce Meyer, president of Jefferson Health and senior executive vice president of Thomas Jefferson University.
“Providing fair and consistent pay is just the beginning of our efforts to enhance Jefferson’s benefits programs for our valued employees.”
Jefferson has been evaluating an increase in the minimum wage, as it watched its revenues increase in the past five years, from $1.1 billion to $5.1 billion.
Its more than 30,000 employees makes the system one of the largest in the region.
About 1,600 employees making minimum wage would be bumped up to $15 an hour in January, according to a statement.
More than 2,600 more will benefit, as well.
Currently, those employees are making less than $18 per hour and would need to have their salaries adjusted when the minimum wage earners get their raises.
“Doing the right thing by patients and employees is ingrained in our values,” said Jeffrey Stevens, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “This increase to minimum wage supports those standards and helps us work toward achieving our mission of improving lives.”
