"Diversity is a success factor": MEDIAN celebrates German Diversity Day, and signs the Diversity Charter
MEDIAN Germany has celebrated the 12th annual German Diversity Day by signing the Charta der Vielfalt (Diversity Charter), and incorporating ‘belonging’ as one of its core corporate values.
With a unique and diverse workforce of 15,500 employees across the country, MEDIAN has signed the charter to reaffirm its commitment to providing an inclusive and transparent environment where colleagues feel like they belong.
"We are proud of our diversity and see it as a vital success factor the MEDIAN Group,” says Philipp Schulte-Noelle, Group CFO and incoming Group CEO, “Having a diverse workforce means we have people from different backgrounds who reflect the experience of the people in our care across the three countries we operate in. This helps us to make better decisions because we understand people’s needs better. We can be more compassionate and empathetic, and see things from a different point of view. The insight from the lived experience of our colleagues, patients and residents, helps us to improve what we do
MEDIAN in Germany has five core corporate values that set out how it intends patients and colleagues to experience the organisation’s culture. These are: quality, innovation, patient-focussed, reliable, and colleague-focussed. MEDIAN has added a sixth core value: belonging – to reflect the atmosphere of acceptance, connection and inclusion that it is cultivating.
Dr. Marc Baenkler, CEO Germany of MEDIAN, added: "It is the individuality of our employees that makes our multifaceted company what it is. We have signed the Diversity Charter as a reflection of our commitment to diversity and tolerance in the workplace, and as a clear sign that we will not accept discrimination or prejudice.”
MEDIAN has also appointed two colleagues as ambassadors for its approach to diversity, equity and inclusion: Namuna Mandakhbileg, Head of Recruiting at the company's Berlin headquarters, and Dr. Günther Wihl, Chief Physician of Neurology at the MEDIAN Clinic Kladow.(pictured).
"Regardless of cultural or religious affiliation, country of birth, gender, sexual orientation, disability, parenthood, illness or age – MEDIAN is actively committed to a fair and inclusive working environment for all," said Namuna Mandakhbileg.
Dr. Günther Wihl added: "This is the beginning of a greater focus on inclusivity. We are determined to demonstrate how we are actively creating a working environment where we stand up for each other and where we call out behaviour and attitudes that are discriminatory."
In the wider MEDIAN Group, Priory in the UK has developed colleague networks to create safe spaces for peer to peer connection and to support those with shared lived experience. These include: the LGBTQ+ network, the REACH network (Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage), the menopause network, the parent’s network, the women’s network, the disability and difference network, the neurodiversity network and the armed forces network.
Priory colleagues lead the individual networks and take part in the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, led by Priscilla Masipurwa, Hospital Director at Kneesworth Hospital in the UK. They provide feedback from the individual networks and support with strategic initiatives like the development of menopause and unconscious bias training at Priory. In the recent Priory Colleague Engagement Survey, 80% of colleagues agreed with the statement: “I feel like I fit in with the organisation, and am comfortable being my true self at work".
As we embark on Pride Month (June) MEDIAN Group will be taking the opportunity to educate and celebrate the different cultures, identity and experiences that make up our unique organisation.