PHOENIX — Most of the employees at St. Luke Behavioral Health Center in Phoenix were furloughed Monday.
Multiple employees contacted ABC15 and said they were informed during a group conference call that they could “use their paid time off to continue receiving a paycheck or apply for a job at another Steward Health facility.”
Earlier this month, St. Luke's Behavioral Health Center received a cease and desist order from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Steward Health, the parent company of St. Luke's Hospital in Phoenix, released the following statement Monday:
“Due to the state's temporary closure of St. Luke's Behavioral Health Center due to equipment failure and the suspension of our hospital license, we have unfortunately made the necessary decision to furlough most of St. Luke's employees, effective today, August 26, 2024. As with all employees furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, salaries will not be paid, but employees will have access to paid time off/PTO. Additionally, all employees will have full medical coverage through at least September 30, 2024.”
“This is a difficult situation, but we believe it will be resolved quickly and our employees will be able to return to the important work of serving patients at St. Luke's Hospital as Steward Health Care actively works through the transition to new ownership. We will provide further updates as appropriate.”
