Hospital Custodian Questions Appreciation Shown to Front Line Workers

Essential workers whose jobs did not allow them to work from home during the pandemic have been at an increased risk of encountering the coronavirus throughout the pandemic. This includes environmental services (EVS) staff at hospitals who are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting rooms that housed patients being treated for COVID-19.

The case of a Missouri hospital custodian who returned to work after contracting COVID-19 highlights how some of these workers have been rewarded in comparison to hospital executives, NBC News reports.

Jamelle Brown, a technician who sanitizes and sterilizes rooms in the emergency department at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri for almost four years told NBC News he contracted COVID-19 but quarantined and returned to work.

Upon his return, he was surprised to be named Employee of the Month but given only a US$6 hospital cafeteria voucher. “That stung me to the bone,” Brown said. “It made me sit back and say, ‘This place doesn’t care for me.’”

The hospital is owned by HCA Healthcare Inc., a publicly traded network of 185 hospitals and 121 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and England. NBC News reported that the company generated $51.5 billion in revenue in 2020. Additionally, its chief executive officer received $30.4 million last year, according to documents.

However, Brown has not had a raise in two years and lives with his sister because he cannot afford rent at $13.77 an hour.

A spokesperson for HCA Healthcare said in a statement to NBC News, “We value our colleagues and the work they do to care for their communities and we are committed to offering competitive compensation and benefits packages, as well as opportunities for professional development and career advancement.”