Why we believe in a living wage

A hospital system strives to nurture its patients, promptly acknowledge and provide for their needs, and comfort them during stressful procedures and challenging recovery processes. To accomplish these goals, we must proactively look after our team members who make up the foundation of our organization and the work we do each day.

Our people are among the best in the industry, committing wholeheartedly to Novant Health’s mission of providing compassion-filled services. We rely on their dedication, and I am proud that Novant Health recently increased our minimum wage by nearly 14% in North Carolina from $11 to $12.50 per hour, benefiting about 5,000 of our team members, and have maintained our commitment to a living wage in Northern Virginia. My hope is that this commitment will allow our team members to devote themselves even more strongly to doing what they love, both inside and outside of work, and better supporting their families and loved ones.

At Novant Health, we implement a living wage that is based on local costs of living, representing about a $4 million investment in our team. Offering a living wage that surpasses the state-mandated minimum wage and providing competitive compensation and benefits packages allow us to hire and retain the most qualified people in the industry. This commitment to our team members shows how much we value their voices, their perspectives and the countless contributions they make to the team.

Quality of life is essential, and prioritizing the happiness and well-being of our people is critical to our success. Empowering each individual in turn empowers an organization, so I hope this change will ignite a powerful chain reaction that will benefit many people, both team members and patients alike, down the road.