New HSE diversity and equality team established

A new diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) team has been formed in the HSE’s human resources division, the Medical Independent (MI) can report. 

The HSE people and culture committee was briefed on the new DEI team at a meeting in February. 

According to meeting minutes, this team has “commenced work on the expansion of the range of staff engagement activities on DEI over the coming year”. 

A HSE spokesperson told MI that in line with its People Strategy 2019-2024, the Executive has invested “in an expanded DEI team in 2021… adding to existing staff working in this area”. 

“All new posts on the team were filled by January 2022,” according to the spokesperson. 

“The team was established to enhance the HSE’s response to its statutory equality duties and to support the priorities of the People Strategy, particularly in relation to staff engagement, workplace policy, and data about the HSE workforce. 

“The team’s central role is to support HSE management and staff on DEI issues as they relate to the HSE’s workforce.” 

The HSE also told this newspaper that it is revising the Dignity at Work Policy for the health service to take account of new codes of practice. These codes include the code of practice for employers and employees on the prevention and resolution of bullying at work, published by the Health and Safety Authority and Workplace Relations Commission; and the code of practice on sexual harassment and harassment at work, published by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. 

“This code sets out what is meant by employment-related sexual harassment and harassment; how it can be prevented; and the necessary steps to ensure that organisations are ready to deal with it and to prevent it from happening again,” said the HSE spokesperson. 

“The HSE is currently engaging with the health service trade unions and staff associations on its draft revised Dignity at Work Policy, which it is expected to issue shortly.”