Why Hasn’t NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Fired Sarah Jane Comrie Yet?

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue has released an additional statement regarding their employee Sarah Jane Comrie’s incident in which she pretended to cry while falsely accusing a young black man of stealing a CitiBike.

We are aware of the video involving a health care provider off duty and away from the hospital campus. The incident in the video is disturbing. The provider is currently out on leave and will remain on leave pending a review. As a health system we are committed to providing an environment for our patients and staff that is free from discrimination of any kind.

Many people on social media are upset with NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue’s statement because they used the words “Off Duty,” which implies Sarah probably won’t be fired for her actions because she wasn’t on the clock when the incident occurred, despite the fact that she can be seen in her work attire in the video.

They made sure to add “off duty and away from the campus” lol she’s not gonna lose her job. I hope no black ppl end up under her care again https://t.co/2cs2XLBfUt

— Wusup Ki? (@kikithedunn) May 16, 2023

Yeah you can stuff that “off duty and away from campus” BS so far up your ass your staff proctologist can’t even find it. Neither of those things matter. She was IN UNIFORM WEARING HER ID BADGE. She’s yours, deal with it, fire her racist ass. #CitibikeKaren #SarahJaneComrieRacist https://t.co/UYZgyAUxMT

— Writerchick 🌻🇺🇦 (@BBwriterchick) May 16, 2023

y'all keep mentioning she wasn't on campus as if she wasn't wearing her badge FULLY VISIBLE as well as her scrubs.

your hospital ALREADY has a horrible reputation, it'd behoove you to cut ties completely, and quickly. https://t.co/2brRgyrMTq

— anita max wynn (@TeeThaGoddess) May 16, 2023

This is a terrible statement – cowardly and siding with the racist white woman. “Off duty” and ‘away from campus’ is irrelevant. This woman is a threat to Black patients. You don’t get that? https://t.co/Ixu2ZPITDE

— Displaced African (@daughterbiko) May 16, 2023

At-will employment exists in New York, as it does in many other states. This means you can fire an employee for any reason that isn’t explicitly illegal. Employee behavior outside of the workplace is covered, but at-will employment may not be permitted under NYC union contracts, according to Moshes Law P.C. One of the most significant advantages of being a union member is that termination must be for specific reasons.

The NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue could face a major lawsuit from Sarah Jane Comrie if don’t have actual proof of evidence to fire her for this incident, which means they will have to take their time before making a decision to terminate her, which could be months or even up to a year.

The NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue could face a major lawsuit from Sarah Jane Comrie if they do not have actual proof of evidence to fire her for this incident, which means they will have to take their time before making a decision to terminate her, which could take months or even a year.

What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment below.