Strategic Area 2: Diversity, equity and inclusion

The HUG want to respond to the social challenges of today and tomorrow. The effective promotion of equality, the integration of diversity as an asset and the inclusion of all are at the heart of the hospitals’ concerns.

The HUG are committed to guaranteeing equality to everyone, by respecting the diversity and differences of each person, whether a patient or an employee. The HUG encourage professional integration and promote an inclusive and a compassionate working environment, where the contributions of each individual are recognized and valued.

The Diversity, equity and Inclusion area is based on 9 objectives and 24 actions. For 21 of these, the 2025 target has been met or partially met.
 

Promote the HUG relational value of equality and inclusion and prevent discrimination

• Combating harassment, discrimination, and violence: reaffirmed commitment to integrity
• Strengthening the mechanisms and resources available to staff to active prevention of harassment and discrimination
• Managerial qualities and behaviours, which notably aim to promote relational value, equality, and inclusion, are being reinforced with the new framework of reference to strengthen the managerial culture of the HUG
• The HUG Allies for Diversity group has several members who are improving the care of LGBTIQA+ individuals
• The HUG Youth Community, which includes those under 26 in the hospital's strategic projects and orientations, continues to grow

Establish a career management policy that encourages and promotes professional mobility

• Professional mobility is one of the priority issues for the HUG's Leadership, Recruitment, and Career Management Service. In this regard, support and skills development programs are offered to hospital staff
• 71 individuals have been appointed as care team leaders through the internal succession program in healthcare since 2022 

Strengthen gender equality

• Achievement of the Equal Salary certification in 2021
• 49.6% of female managers (class 23 and above) in 2024
• 21% of men working part-time (+14% compared to 2021)

Improve the reception and care of people with disabilities

• Over 115 referents form the community of the Disability program since 2021
• 161 HUG representatives took part in training courses as part of the Disability Program (training courses open to other institutions)
• Implementation in 2023 of quarterly inter-institutional Handi'Cafés (meetings of HUG staff and the extra-HUG network) aimed at promoting projects to improve the care of patients with disabilities
• Creation of a clinical specialist nurse position for disability in 2024

More info : Disability program

In Switzerland 1.8 million people live with a physical, psychological, mental or sensory disability. Through its disability program and its specially trained team, the HUG are fully committed to reducing inequalities in access to healthcare.

As part of these efforts, several actions were taken in 2022:

• In order to ensure universal accessibility, a study was conducted to establish a multi-handicap accessibility diagnosis for the surroundings of the main site buildings (Cluse-Roseraie and Beau-Séjour areas). The next step is to deploy a universal signage concept across all HUG sites.
   
• A call for challenges on the theme of disability was launched among employees to propose solutions on the topic of "How to improve the reception and experience of people with disabilities at HUG?". Two solutions were awarded with the support of the HUG Private Foundation.

For more informations, visite the Disability Program website (FR)