Vail Health Spending $194m in 2023, Taking ‘Big Steps’ to Attract and Retain its Workforce
Vail Health’s mission for years has been to remain independent. But independence can be expensive. The Vail Health organization in fiscal 2023 will spend about $194 million on employee compensation and benefits. That starts with a $20 per hour minimum wage — although most employees earn more. It also includes creating 87 new housing units for employees, and funding benefits ranging from childcare assistance to a recreation benefit and student loan assistance of up to $30,000.
Expanding services, adding more people, an exceptional local housing crunch and high inflation created the need for what Cohn called an “aggressive response” from the health care organization.
Vail Health vice president of human resources Jennifer Law said the benefits package is part of a “holistic” approach to employee recruitment and retention. That approach intends to differentiate Vail Health from other valley employers, and other health care organizations.
Five years ago, Vail Health had housing for about 5% of its workforce. Vail Health today has housing for about 10% of its workforce. The Fox Hollow project will boost that number to 22%, based on the current employee numbers. But, Cohn added, Vail Health’s workforce will be larger when Fox Hollow opens.
