Navicent Health has increased its internal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10 per hour, investing $1.2 million into the lives and careers of its teammates. Hourly workers will benefit from the increase, which exceeds the federal government’s minimum pay requirements.

“At Navicent Health, we base our decisions on three categories — strategy, operations and people. Of these, our people are the most important. The decision to increase our internal minimum wage moves hundreds of teammates payed by the hour to a living wage. We’re thrilled to make this investment in our people, particularly during a time when so many individuals and organizations are struggling,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, president and CEO of Navicent Health.

Navicent Health, in partnership with its collaborative partner Atrium Health, is beginning the process of transitioning teammates from a minimum wage to a living wage. The first step in this process is establishing an internal minimum wage for all Navicent Heath teammates. Any teammate currently earning less than $10 per hour will receive a pay increase to align with the health system’s new internal minimum wage of $10 per hour. The increase went into effect on Sept. 6, 2020, and will appear on affected teammates’ paychecks on Sept. 25, 2020.

The pay increase ensures that starting wages at Navicent Health are competitive among local employers and within the healthcare field, according to a company press release. 

As a major employer and catalyst for the local and state economy, the increase also demonstrates Navicent Health’s and Atrium Health’s shared commitment to invest in the region’s economy, the press release states.