Staff Committee (PeKo): the voice of the employees

As a kind of interface between the hospital management and the employees, the Staff Committee at the USB is the point of contact for both sides - but it primarily exercises the employees' participation rights. The participation agreement came into force for this purpose in 2019: it regulates in which areas and in what form the PeKo is consulted at the USB. The competencies range from "information" to "co-determination/consultation obligation" and "co-decision" through to "self-determination". "Of course, we would like to have even more decision-making powers here," says Co-President Christa Brunner. "But it is just as important that we maintain a good relationship with the hospital management, are kept regularly informed and thus always know what is going on in the hospital."

Various committees are in contact with Peko: the PeKo meets once a year with the Nomination and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (VR-NEA) and is in dialog with members of the hospital management. However, the most important point of contact for the PeKo is the Human Resources department: regular meetings and workshops are held with the Director of Human Resources and the exchange is considered very valuable by all sides. "The PeKo is an important channel for me," explains Raphaela Meier, Director of Human Resources. "On the one hand, it allows me to hear the concerns of our employees - usually in a form that can be agreed upon. On the other hand, I really value the PeKo's advice on HR policy and strategy issues." The PeKo is also in regular contact with the PeKos of the UPK, the University Geriatric Medicine Felix Platter (UAFP) and Bethesda Hospital and uses the findings from similar experiences at its partner hospitals.