WellSpan extends restriction against hiring smokers to new facilities

York, Pa.-based WellSpan Health's policy regarding hiring smokers will now apply to new employees at Philhaven, a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization based in Gretna, Pa., and Lebanon, Pa.-based Good Samaritan Hospital. WellSpan Philhaven joined the health system at the beginning of 2016, and Good Samaritan officially joined WellSpan Health in July 2015.

WellSpan Health said in a news release that WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital and WellSpan Philhaven will align with the regional health system's Tobacco/Nicotine-Free Hiring Policy and won't hire staff who use tobacco, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

The policy calls for anyone who is offered a position to work at one of WellSpan Health's facilities and patient care locations to pass a nicotine test, according to the release. Job candidates who test positive for nicotine will not be hired, but may be hired if they are enrolled in tobacco cessation, WellSpan Health said. Additionally, job candidates who test positive will have the opportunity to apply again for employment in 12 months. The policy will not apply to existing health system employees.

Overall, WellSpan Health said, the goal with the policy is to promote healthy lifestyle and lifelong wellness.

"We are committed to working as one health system in the care of our patients and for the benefit of the communities we serve," Robert Batory, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at WellSpan Health, said in a statement. "Aligning our policies throughout the health system, and extending them out to our new partners, is consistent with this mission."

While healthcare providers across the country, including WellSpan, have banned smokers getting hired at their facilities, Mr. Batory acknowledged the topic is controversial in a WPMT FOX43.

"Those who say good for you, it's part of your mission, take a leadership position, and then the other side of is it an infringement, civil rights," Mr. Batory said.

WellSpan Health first implemented a Tobacco/Nicotine-Free Hiring Policy effective on Jan. 1, 2015. The health system sayd the same policy now applies to the hiring of staff members at WellSpan Good Samaritan and WellSpan Philhaven, beginning with any applicant who has received a job offer, but who has not yet had his or her first day of work as of Jan. 1, 2017. 

 

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