Supporting staff with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions and long-term health conditions - Your Opinion Counts staff survey 2025
We need to better understand how disability affects people at work so we can support staff with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions or long-term health conditions.
The Your Opinion Counts staff survey includes a question relating to disability. Staff members are asked if they have any long-term (or episodic) conditions that have caused substantial difficulties in any aspect of daily life, such as work, social life, leisure, or cultural activities.
This information is important for many reasons:
- helps us to develop a better understanding of how disability affects people at work
- raises the profile of disability in the workplace
- helps us demonstrate compliance with the Disability Act 2005
The Your Opinion Counts staff survey is open until midnight on Thursday 1 May 2025.
You can also enter a draw for 1 of 6 €300 One4All vouchers.
You’ll need to enter your health service email address to take the survey. This is to verify that you are a health service employee. It will not link you to your completed survey in any way.
If you do not have a health service email address, call the survey helpline on 091 775 953 for an access code. The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
- Updates
- Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) team
- Background
- Support with diversity, equality and inclusion enquiries
- Training and guidance
- Employee networks
- Campaigns and awareness raising
- Conducting equality impact assessments
- Related documents
- Contact DEI team
Updates
International Women's Day 2025
Saturday 8 March is International Women’s Day. On this day, we recognise the contributions of our female colleagues, who represent 79% of our workforce.
There are resources available for managers to support women in their careers.
Managers should:
- encourage staff to avail of the HSE development, training and coaching programmes
- promote HSE supports
- complete the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) training on HSeLanD
Email the DEI team at diversity.HR@hse.ie for guidance on supporting staff in the workplace.
Find more information on supports and resources available to staff
Black History Month
Black History Month is celebrated every February. During this month, we acknowledge the past challenges and achievements of Black people.
In our organisation, we aim to develop a culture of understanding and inclusion where all staff are treated with dignity and respect.
The Cultural Diversity network is the HSE’s network for employees from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and their allies. The Network provides support, visibility and a voice for staff. It assists with raising awareness on diversity, equality and inclusion issues to the wider workforce.
Email diversity.hr@hse.ie to join the Cultural Diversity Network or for further information and guidance.
LGBTQIA+ History Month 2025
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) History Month takes place from 1 to 28 February 2025. During this month, we recognise the achievements of LGBTQIA+ people of the past.
There are many reasons why LGBTQIA+ History Month is important:
- celebrate the contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals to society
- raise awareness of challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals
- encourage inclusivity and understanding in the workplace
Reach Out Network is the HSE network for LGBTQIA+ staff and their allies.
Listen to members discuss the benefits of the Reach Out Network with Panti Bliss (video)
Pride in the HSE - get support from our Reach Out Network (video)
Leading multicultural teams training
A new virtual training programme on leading multicultural teams is available on HSeLanD.
The aim of the programme is to enable participants to build the necessary skills and knowledge to manage multicultural teams effectively. The programme will provide participants with an understanding of some of the issues than can arise within multicultural teams and how to effectively manage those issues.
The programme is open to all staff in the HSE who have leadership responsibilities.
Further information on the programme and how to enrol
Next training dates:
- 18 February 2025, 9am to 1.30pm
- 25 March 2025, 9am to 1.30pm
- 9 April 2025, 9am to 1.30pm
Dyslexia Awareness Month
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month.
Dyslexia affects approximately 10% of the population.
Dyslexia Awareness Month is a chance to raise understanding about dyslexia, and also to celebrate the strengths and talents of those who live with it.
Le Chéile network is our national staff network for employees with disabilities, long-term health conditions or neurodiverse conditions and their allies. Le Chéile is an Irish word meaning 'together'.
Email diversity.hr@hse.ie to join the Le Chéile Network, or for further information and guidance on supports available for staff with dyslexia.
Listen to staff share their thoughts on Le Chéile Network (video)
International Coming Out Day
International Coming Out Day was on Friday 11 October 2024.
By coming out, many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) people face discrimination and threat. The Reach Out Network, our national staff network for LGBTQIA+ staff, provides support, visibility and a voice to LGBTQIA+ staff.
Email diversity.hr@hse.ie to join the Reach Out Network, or for further information and guidance.
Listen to members discuss the benefits of the Reach Out Network with Panti Bliss (video)
HSE staff disability survey
The HSE staff disability survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. We will publish the findings soon.
If you are interested in joining Le Chéile Network, the HSE’s network for staff with disabilities, contact diversity.hr@hse.ie
Listen to staff discuss the importance of understanding disability in the workplace (video)
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.
We receive 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
For queries about diversity, equality and inclusion; and advice and support email diversity.hr@hse.ie
All enquiries are treated confidentially and reporting is based on anonymised data only.
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)