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Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Updates

Support neurodiversity in the workplace

Our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion team recently collaborated with HSE Gradlink students to raise awareness about neurodiversity in the workplace.

Neurodiversity explains the unique ways people think, learn and interact with the world around them. About 15 to 20% of the population is estimated to be neurodiverse.

Support neurodiversity in the workplace - YouTube

Celebrating Pride Month

Pride Month is dedicated to celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities. Join us to celebrate Pride this June.

HSE Reach Out Network lanyards

Lanyards available to network members. Email diversity.hr@hse.ie to join the network.

If you are not a member and would like to get a lanyard email sales@abbeybadges.ie (20 lanyards minimum order applies).

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) took place on 8 March 2023. The theme for IWD was embracing equity.

Equity in the workplace is about recognising that people need different types of support to progress in their careers. Women make up 78% of our workforce. Many HR supports are available to assist you, depending on your circumstances. Email diversity.hr@hse.ie for more information on equity in the workplace and the supports available to all staff.

Staff speak about HSE supports and opportunities - YouTube

Background

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to treating our employees equally in relation to:

  • age
  • civil status
  • disability
  • ethnicity and race
  • family status
  • gender
  • membership of the Traveller community
  • religion
  • sexual orientation

We treat our employees equally in:

  • recruitment
  • pay
  • conditions
  • training
  • work experience
  • career progression

Our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy sets out a number of priorities to enhance the way the HSE recruits, plans and develops its workforce. This applies to potential and existing employees regardless of their diversity background. The DEI Strategy runs to the end of 2024 and supports the overall Health Services People Strategy.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy (PDF, 517 KB, 9 pages)

Diversity Equality and Inclusion (DEI) team

We help in creating a culture where employees are valued and supported, and work in an environment free from discrimination.

We help the organisation to improve the recruitment, support and retention of employees across all diversity grounds, including disability. This is done through awareness-raising and developing the HSE as an employer of choice for diverse groups.

Support with diversity, equality and inclusion enquiries

We provide advice and support to managers and staff on diversity, equality and inclusion enquiries.

In 2022, we received over 200 enquiries from managers and staff on a range of topics including:

  • diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives and policies
  • HSE staff support networks for employees who are LGBTQIA+, from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds or who have a disability
  • equality legislation
  • reasonable accommodations from staff with disabilities
  • inclusive communications and terminology

Further information is available in the 2022 Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Enquiry Annual Report (PDF, 844 KB, 5 pages). All enquiries are treated confidentially and reporting is based on anonymised data only.

For queries about diversity, equality and inclusion; and advice and support email diversity.hr@hse.ie

Training

Get training on diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace on HSeLanD.

Training includes:

  • Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Module 1: An Introduction
  • Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Module 2: Inclusive Communication at Work
  • Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Module 3: Working in a Diverse Team
  • Overcoming Unconscious Bias in the Workplace
  • LGBTQIA+ Awareness and Inclusion: the basics
  • Recruitment interviewer skills
  • Dignity at Work policy
  • Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service

Guidelines on diversity, equality and inclusion topics

Guidance includes:

  • Information on supporting neurodivergent colleagues in the workplace Support neurodiversity in the workplace - YouTube
  • Inclusive communications in the workplace: disability guideline (available September 2023)
  • Inclusive communications in the workplace: gender and sexual orientation guideline (available September 2023)
  • Inclusive communications in the workplace: race and ethnicity guideline (available September 2023)
  • Understanding workplace supports for staff members with a disability: a guideline on reasonable accommodation (available September 2023)
  • Use of Reach Out Network lanyards (PDF, 287 KB, 1 page)

Employee networks

Employee networks, also known as Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), help create inclusive environments and build a sense of community.

Benefits of employee networks include:

  • support, visibility and a voice for staff
  • opportunity for staff to contribute personal stories and experience into HR policy and practice
  • assist with raising awareness on DEI issues to the wider workforce

The HSE currently has three employee network groups:

Email diversity.hr@hse.ie for more information or to join a network.

Conducting equality impact assessments

An equality impact assessment (EQIA) is carried out on a policy or plan to ensure it takes account of diversity and equality.

To be successful, EQIA requires a group of staff representatives with a good understanding of the relevant diversity grounds. For example, a HR policy likely to have a significant impact on staff with a disability should be impact-assessed by several employees with disabilities and long-term health conditions, as well as HR staff.

The DEI team help with implementing EQIA by:

  • facilitating EQIA discussions
  • providing expert participants and advisers
  • sourcing relevant equality data to help make EQIA discussions more robust
  • linking to expert staff panel members with lived experience of diversity issues
  • linking to external agencies with expertise in equality matters
  • reviewing outcomes of EQIAs

To take part in the EQIA process as a staff representative, email diversity.hr@hse.ie

Related documents

2022 Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Enquiry Annual Report (PDF, 844 KB, 5 pages)

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy (PDF, 517 KB, 9 pages)

HSE Employee Networks poster (PDF, 375 KB, 1 page)

Contact DEI team

diversity.hr@hse.ie