Healthcare workers plan legal action against Akron Children's

Employees at Akron Children's Hospital who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 have been notified they will be placed on unpaid leave.

It comes as the hospital's Jan. 11 vaccination deadline has passed.

3News received the following statement Tuesday evening from Lisa Aurilio, the Chief Operating Officer at Akron Children’s Hospital:

“While the Jan. 11 deadline for our COVID-19 vaccination requirement is firm, we are working with those employees who have expressed in good faith their commitment to be fully vaccinated. Those employees for which we have no record of vaccination or exemption were notified on Friday that they will be placed on unpaid leave. This will not happen without a one-on-one meeting between an employee and manager. We value the contribution of each and every employee, but we must uphold our founding promise to provide the best care possible for every child in our service area. A vaccinated workforce is the best way to protect our patients, especially those who are immuno-compromised, chronically ill or not yet eligible to be vaccinated.”

Faith Lanshe used to be a nurse at Akron Children's.

She's opting for early retirement after 32 years when she learned the hospital would be requiring COVID vaccinations.

"I've always been a proponent for individual rights and individual freedoms and individual choices to make decisions for ourselves," Lanshe said.

READ MORE: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/healthcare-workers-plan-legal-action-against-akron-childrens/95-78b2f60c-66b6-4454-8310-c0979c7c583e

READ MORE: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/akron/akron-childrens-hospital-covid-vaccine-requirement-unvaccinated-workers-unpaid-leave/95-5967e630-d6aa-421e-8ce2-6522e0776a70