Bon Secours St. Francis Health System increases Just Wage for employees
September 5, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is pleased to announce that it recently increased its Just Wage from $9.87 to $11.00 per hour. Three hundred sixty-seven employees across Bon Secours St. Francis Health System will benefit from this change.
The concept of “just wage” was introduced more than 120 years ago by Pope Leo XIII. He defined it as “an amount needed to support a thrifty and upright worker plus his family.” This is different from a “living wage” or “minimum wage.” The Church recognizes three principles that are necessary for implementation of the just wage: the principles of need, equity and economic order. 1
According to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, a just wage:
- Is given in due time and in proportion to the work done;
- Must not be below the level of subsistence;
- Furnishes the meaning to cultivate worthily the laborer’s material, social, cultural and spiritual life and that of his or her dependents; and
- Is first the responsibility of the employer but then also of the economic system as a whole.
“A Just Wage differs from minimum wage in that it is determined by the employer rather than set by the government,” said Fernando Fleites, SVP Human Resources, Bon Secours St. Francis. “Currently, minimum wage in South Carolina is $7.25 an hour. The Just Wage at Bon Secours Health System has always been above minimum wage and we are delighted to announce this most recent increase.”
“Just Wage reflects the Bon Secours Health System values of respect, compassion and justice for our employees and is an integral part of our Catholic healthcare identity,” said Craig McCoy, CEO of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. “Our employees are dedicated to providing Good Help to Those in Need® and are one of the greatest assets of our healthcare system. We are proud to announce this increase.”
ABOUT BON SECOURS ST. FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM
The Mission Statement of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is to bring compassion to healthcare and to be “Good Help to Those in Need®,” especially those who are poor and dying. As a system of caregivers, we commit ourselves to help bring people and communities to health and wholeness through the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. www.stfrancishealth.org.
- Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, Inc (CAPP-USA) Is Your Company Paying “Just” Wages? by, Dr. Brian Engelland, DBA Professor of Marketing, The Catholic University of America
