Northwell Health, New York State’s largest private employer, today announced it has signed a pledge of support for TIME’S UP Healthcare’s principles to prevent sexual harassment and gender inequity. TIME’S UP Healthcare is an industry affiliate of the global TIME’S UP organization, and was formed earlier this year by physicians and other health care professionals to advocate for and provide resources to raise awareness of harassment and gender inequity, and drive a positive shift on these critical issues in the health care industry.
“Sexual harassment and gender inequity have no place in the healthcare workplace,” said Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling. “We are committed to preventing sexual harassment and gender inequity, and protecting and aiding those who are targets of harassment and discrimination. We value an environment of mutual respect and free of discrimination. We will accept nothing less.”
Northwell Health informs employees of its sexual harassment prevention policies and provides training through its annual mandatory compliance training program, which is required to be completed by every Northwell employee. Any reported incident of workplace harassment is taken seriously and is followed by a timely, thorough investigation. Appropriate action is taken in response to such incidents and any forms of retaliation will not be tolerated.
Northwell’s commitment to TIME’S UP is significant because it shows New York’s largest employer, with a workforce of more than 70,000, values a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and is publicly acknowledging that it is working to make that a reality, said Jennifer Mieres, Northwell’s senior vice president and chief diversity & inclusion officer.
“We cannot address a problem without understanding its scope and impact,” Mieres said. “Northwell Health is committed to understanding potential sexual harassment and gender-based inequities in our organization, in order to take any appropriate steps to respond to issues and prevent them from happening. We will continue to strengthen our structures, processes, and outcomes as we work toward the goal of a safe, respectful, and equitable workplace.”
Submitted by Northwell Health.
