The Wrangell Medical Center (WMC) will begin offering its employees a chance to take part in a new recognition program, which will reward exceptional behavior and community service in the form of extra paid days off.
WMC Board members voted in favor of implementing the program at its Jan. 25 meeting.
“I think this is a great idea,” said WMC Board President Mark Robinson.
The program will be points-based. Employees rack up points by having perfect attendance or working an extra shift at the WMC, as well as by making suggestions that improve the WMC and by volunteering within the community.
For instance, according to the program, employees will earn one point for every five hours of volunteering and one point for perfect attendance within each pay period. At years-end, a total of 56 points will grant an employee four extra personal days off. One personal day off requires 28 points.
WMC Chief Financial Officer Olinda White said the program came after a recommendation from WMC leaders, or department directors, who felt it would be beneficial to encourage good behavior and community involvement to WMC staff.
“The program will] reward the people that are basically doing a good job and following through, all the way through and are good community members,” White said.
The leadership team of department directors at WMC opted out of the recognition program, said Bob Shymanski, WMC director of environmental service and information technology.
“We thought it would be better to set the example,” White said.
WMC Administrator Noel Selle-Rea said the program will help recognize those that stand out in the WMC building.
“We have some superstars… and they don’t get recognized,” he said.
The recognition program took effect immediately. A 90-day trial period will test the success of the program and how it is received by WMC staff.
Also at the meeting, Selle-Rea said a structure will be built connecting WMC with the trailer where currently CT scans are done. The structure will act as a “weather cover” Selle-Rea said and block any rain, snow or wind, and should last until the new hospital is complete.
Shymanski said that project should be completed this weekend.
The fund to build the new hospital, however, is currently around $2 million short, Selle-Rea said. He and the project team have been going through the project plans trying to find ways to cut costs, “or in many ways, finding cheaper ways to do things,” Selle-Rea said.
“The project is really on hold until we get the budget in order,” he said.
The next WMC Board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15.
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