How We Got Started
In October of 2008, UPMC, a health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, introduced Dignity & Respect to its employees as an approach to encourage inclusion through behavioral and organizational change. During town halls in hospitals, clinics, and offices, employees were asked to describe “What happens in a workplace where people are treated with dignity and respect?” Common behaviors emerged, and these became the 30 Tips of Dignity & Respect. We created a Pledge as a way for employees to express their commitment to practicing these behaviors every day. A website was developed to host the Pledge and the 30 Tips. The Dignity & Respect Campaign was born! Since its inception we have continued to add additional tools and initiatives and made them available to others.
What began as an internal initiative at UPMC, a health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, has become a Campaign inspiring people across the nation. Today, more than 100 organizations, schools, and communities are engaged with the Dignity & Respect Campaign promoting dignity and respect for self, others, and communities. It is through our efforts that Campaign comes to life.