Font ResizeI have been reading the candidate interviews for the past two weeks and wanted to give you the correct facts regarding employee turnover or "separation" as they label it at SHCHD. These numbers are derived directly from the board packages so I did not fabricate them.
In the past two fiscal years, 2011 and 2012, the employee separation rate has averaged 40.6% per year (average of 27 separations divided by average # of employees 66.5). The average statistic for employee separation for the previous five years is 26.3% per year. This is a 54% increase per year in employee separation for the past two years.
If you check these statistics with someone at SHCHD, you may receive a comment that the hospital has been reducing the number of employees, but I checked the board packages that I have going back to 2007 which show that the number of FTE’s (full time equivalent employees) is not significantly different now than it was back then (FY2012 48.7 FTE, 48.8 for 2007), so this is not an excuse to dismiss these statistics. Corinne Stromstad and Clif Anderson both stated that they did not think the hospital has a high turnover rate compared to other healthcare institutions or businesses. I have never seen a successful business with a turnover rate this high. Judi Gonzales was the only candidate who was asked this question who knew that the turnover rate for the past two years has averaged 40% per year, which is an alarming rate to her and should be to all of you also.
I was disappointed in The Independent and thought it was inappropriate to have Harry Jasper’s unrefuted and incorrect statements in the body of the interview with Judi Gonzales. I suggest that actual fact checking would be appropriate before printing incorrect statements. I will certainly vote for Judi Gonzales on Nov. 6 and will not be voting for either incumbent.
Robert Gallagher
Whitethorn
