Forum Q&A for Asante leaders, Dec. 3

For employees who have questions about the vaccination policy, please direct them to the FAQs.

Watch a recording of this forum »

EMPLOYEE COVID VACCINATION STATUS

FLU VACCINATION

• Jan. 24, 2022, is the new deadline for employees, medical staff, students and volunteers to comply with Asante’s flu vaccination policy. Staff must have received the flu vaccination or declined by this date.
• The Epic team is working on an attestation/declination function in MyChart to replace paper forms. We will let you know when that’s available.
• The Tableau dashboard will continue to be updated.
• Employees who are out of compliance will be notified as the deadline approaches.

WORKING WHILE SICK

• All staff working on-site must attest to their health daily through Kronos.
• Those with respiratory or other symptoms should call Employee Health and be sent home if appropriate.
• If they do not comply they may be subject to disciplinary action.

IN-PERSON MEETING GUIDELINES

• The rules are explained on Asante News online as well as the maximum capacities for each hospital conference room.
• The same rules apply to potlucks and mealtime gatherings.

MASKING REMINDER

• Standards are beginning to slip in some areas.
• All employees should be wearing proper masks — not neck scarves or gaiters. A masking guide is posted on Asante News online.
• Masking is also required when entering any Asante facility. Teams are working to ensure a supply of masks at entrances.

STAFFING UPDATE

• Staffing is among Asante’s highest priorities for the foreseeable future.
• With 926 open positions, Asante’s vacancy rate is at 13.7%.
• The vacancy rate will be included as an outcome measure in the upcoming Balanced Scorecard.
• Talent Acquisition hired 356 new employees in October and November.
• HR has scheduled 40 new-employee orientations for 2022 to speed the onboarding process and added a new TA and TA assistant position.

HOW YOU CAN HELP RECRUITERS

• Stay in contact with your recruiters and make decisions quickly after interviewing candidates. (You may conduct job interviews in person if the candidate is vaccinated and the meeting rules above are followed.)
• Be clear and honest about the job — full- or part-time, the schedule, the workload.
• Share current job postings on your social media pages.
• Encourage high-performing staff to refer their friends and family members.
• Remember, some jobs come with a referral bonus! You can find the list of bonus-eligible positions here.

EMPLOYEE RETENTION

• Asante has formed an employee retention team with HR and other Asante leaders.
• The goal is to develop retention strategies to reduce turnover, determine workforce needs and improve engagement.
• The team is led by Alicia Lorenz, director of HR Administration and Employee Relations.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Asante has contracted with Fiona Hutton Associates to strengthen Asante’s reputation in the community.
• Consultants will be meeting with executives on public relations strategies and will offer their expertise on social media engagement.
• “This is not a rebranding process,” said Dennie Conrad, chief strategy officer. “It’s really about reenergizing and reengaging the community.”

BRAINSTORMING SESSION FOLLOW-UP

Based on feedback from the Nov. 12 forum:

• Asante will create a senior leader visibility plan, including rounding.
• HR will share actions leaders can do to improve morale and culture in their areas of oversight, including rewards and recognitions.
• Leaders should consider at least one gesture of gratitude for their teams in December.
• Leaders should also take a moment to write a VIA or send an email of appreciation to a valued employee or co-worker.

NEXT FORUM

• The next online Q&A will be combined with the regular HR Management Forum, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on Dec. 21.

SCOTT’S THOUGHTS

“All great changes are preceded by chaos. I know it’s a challenging time and I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you.”

PREVIOUS FORUMS

Nov. 12: Federal vaccination mandate, brainstorming on how to support staff, set priorities, create new ways to appreciate staff

Nov. 5: Visitor policy update, CMS mandate, DNV survey

Oct. 28: Final paychecks, managing time off, privacy considerations, recruiting, campus rules for visitors

Oct. 22: Employee relations, protected leaves, federal vaccination mandate, recruitment and scheduling

Oct. 14: Leave, late vaccination, Kronos timekeeping, licensure, compensation

Oct. 8: Table of job posting criteria; managing time off in Kronos; on-leave employees

Oct. 1: New attendance exception form, benefits, staffing, providers offering one-on-one talks with vaccine-hesitant employees, well-being and support

Sept. 24: Vaccination records, medical and religious exceptions, flu shots