Staff Extranet / Culture, engagement and wellbeing / Values in Action / Respect
Respect2026-02-19T15:17:53+10:00

Respect

We treat everyone with courtesy, respect, and fairness, while actively listening to, valuing, and embracing diverse cultures and beliefs.

What is respect

Respect at Metro North Health goes beyond politeness. It’s about creating workplaces where everyone feels heard, included, valued, and safe to be themselves. By listening deeply, treating others fairly, and embracing the strengths of our diverse community, we build trust and strengthen the foundation of culturally safe, effective care.

During the 2025 Have Your Say Survey, staff selected the following definition as the one that best reflects what respect means at Metro North Health:

“We treat everyone with courtesy, respect, and fairness, while actively listening to, valuing, and embracing diverse cultures and beliefs.”

This shared understanding guides how respect is experienced across our teams and services.

How we bring respect to life at Metro North Health

Respect is reflected in how we listen, communicate, include, and treat one another in everyday work.

The examples below illustrate how respect often shows up in practice across Metro North Health.

Respect can be seen through everyday actions and choices that promote dignity, inclusion, and fairness.

This can include:

  1. Treating others with dignity, courtesy, and fairness
  • Communicating with kindness, professionalism, and patience
  • Giving others full attention and listening without judgement
  • Responding respectfully to different perspectives, roles, and needs
  1. Embracing diversity and cultural identity
  • Valuing people’s backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and lived experiences
  • Approaching interactions with cultural humility and curiosity
  • Creating environments where people feel safe, welcome, and valued
  1. Fostering psychologically safe and inclusive workplaces
  • Encouraging open dialogue where people can speak up safely
  • Addressing disrespectful or exclusionary conduct promptly and constructively
  • Supporting fair access to opportunities, resources, and information

Respect is often visible in the everyday moments where we listen, include, and uplift one another.

Across Metro North Health, this may include examples such as:

In day-to-day interactions

  • Listening actively and acknowledging what others share
  • Using inclusive language that respects identities, cultures, and pronouns
  • Being aware of personal bias and adjusting approach to promote fairness and equity
  • Responding calmly and respectfully in stressful or challenging situations
  • Taking responsibility for personal impact and repairing harm when needed
  • Giving credit to colleagues for their contributions and ideas

Within teams

  • Establishing meeting norms that promote respectful listening and equal voice
  • Actively inviting quieter or marginalised voices into discussions
  • Resolving disagreements with curiosity and shared problem-solving
  • Celebrating strengths, contributions, and cultural identities
  • Addressing issues early and constructively, including disrespectful conduct
  • Embedding inclusion into everyday team routines and practices

In patient and community care

  • Greeting people warmly and using culturally appropriate communication
  • Providing care that honours cultural beliefs, preferences, and identity
  • Listening closely to concerns, especially when trust or safety may feel fragile
  • Accessing interpreters, cultural liaisons, or support people when needed
  • Protecting privacy, dignity, and choice in every interaction
  • Advocating for culturally safe, respectful environments

Respect is often visible in the everyday moments where we listen, include, and uplift one another.

Across Metro North Health, this may include examples such as:

In day-to-day interactions

  • Listening actively and acknowledging what others share
  • Using inclusive language that respects identities, cultures, and pronouns
  • Being aware of personal bias and adjusting approach to promote fairness and equity
  • Responding calmly and respectfully in stressful or challenging situations
  • Taking responsibility for personal impact and repairing harm when needed
  • Giving credit to colleagues for their contributions and ideas

Within teams

  • Establishing meeting norms that promote respectful listening and equal voice
  • Actively inviting quieter or marginalised voices into discussions
  • Resolving disagreements with curiosity and shared problem-solving
  • Celebrating strengths, contributions, and cultural identities
  • Addressing issues early and constructively, including disrespectful conduct
  • Embedding inclusion into everyday team routines and practices

In patient and community care

  • Greeting people warmly and using culturally appropriate communication
  • Providing care that honours cultural beliefs, preferences, and identity
  • Listening closely to concerns, especially when trust or safety may feel fragile
  • Accessing interpreters, cultural liaisons, or support people when needed
  • Protecting privacy, dignity, and choice in every interaction
  • Advocating for culturally safe, respectful environments

Metro North Health demonstrates respect through initiatives that strengthen cultural safety, inclusion, and fairness.

  1. Building a diverse, culturally safe and capable workforce

Inclusive recruitment and culturally safe recruitment practices support diversity, equity, and meaningful representation across Metro North Health.

  1. Creating culturally safe and connected care

The Better Together Health Van builds trusted relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families, and communities.

  1. Developing cultural awareness and capability

The Cultural Practice Program supports learning aligned to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework.

  1. Supporting culturally safe working environments

The Social and Emotional Wellbeing program provides culturally safe, confidential support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

  1. Promoting flexible work options

Flexible working arrangements support different needs and life circumstances.

  1. Advancing health equity

The Health Equity Strategy and Implementation Plan support fair, inclusive care and workplaces.

  1. Recognising long-term service

Length of Service Awards celebrate sustained contribution and commitment.

  1. Promoting fairness and integrity

The Ethical Standards Unit supports trust, fairness, and respectful conduct across the organisation.

  1. Keeping our people safe

The Queensland Occupational Violence Strategy supports safe and respectful workplaces.

  1. Upholding zero tolerance for harassment

The Respect@Work initiative helps prevent and address workplace harassment.

Respect in action

Respect is lived across Metro North every day, from clinicians taking time to understand cultural needs, to leaders creating space for quieter voices, to colleagues supporting one another with empathy and fairness.

Supporting tools and resources

Activities and development

Additional information

Promotional material

Supporting documents

Staff support

Last updated 19 February 2026
© The State of Queensland (Metro North Health) 2026