Messiah Lifeways is addressing the industry-wide concern of recruiting and retaining workers by raising wages across the organization, including bumping its minimum wage to $15 per hour effective Sept. 5.
“Our team members are the heart and lifeblood of this people-centered organization,” said Karl Brummer, senior vice president and incoming president and CEO of the Mechanicsburg, PA, continuing care retirement community, said in a press release dated Thursday. “A career in senior living is very rewarding, but at the same time, it is certainly not easy, especially over the past year and a half. We want to make sure our team members know that we value them and appreciate them, and we’re thrilled to be able to show our appreciation in this tangible way.”
More than 50% of the faith-based organization’s 500 hourly employees will be positively affected by wage increases, according to the company. The $15 an hour minimum wage increase, up from $12.20 an hour, will affect 23% of workers directly. According to Messiah Lifeways, Certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses also will receive increases to their starting hourly rates next month. The increase is in addition to shift differentials and bonuses.
Essential employees received hazard pay throughout the pandemic, and all employees received increases with the new fiscal year, which began on July 1, according to the CCRC.
