People: our impact on colleagues and society

How do we make it enjoyable and attractive for our (potential) colleagues to work at UMC Utrecht?

Attracting new colleagues and retaining our employees. That is a major focus for us, just as it is for many other organizations in healthcare. That is why in 2025, we took a range of initiatives to make working at UMC Utrecht appealing for current and future colleagues.

Attracting new colleagues

In 2025, we strengthened our employer brand through targeted campaigns, audience-specific communication and unique content such as All you need is praise. We shared real stories from colleagues that show what makes working at a university medical center special.

Two successful projects

In 2025, we worked with Utrechtzorg and five regional hospitals to attract new colleagues. Together, we developed the platform OntdekJouwZiekenhuisbaan.nl, where candidates can apply to multiple hospitals at once. By collaborating regionally, we make it easier for people to choose a career in healthcare and to stay in healthcare. This unique collaboration won the Werf& Awards Public Prize 2025 for best recruitment case.

We also reached out to potential colleagues earlier in their careers. For example, we attended the Central Netherlands Study Choice Fair (Studiekeuzebeurs Midden-Nederland), where our colleagues talked about their work in the hospital. Through our participation program, we also collaborated with Emma at Work, which helps young talents with a chronic condition find suitable work. We also offered many temporary part-time jobs for students. These efforts contributed to strong inflow: in 2025, 733,274 people visited werkenbijumcutrecht.nl, we published 1,172 vacancies and received 27,849 applications. This resulted in 2,247 new colleagues, including students and researchers on temporary contracts.

Start@UMC Utrecht

A smooth start to your job at UMC Utrecht is essential for retaining new colleagues. That is why in 2025, we completely renewed our introduction morning: Start@UMC Utrecht. Our starting point: your first day at work should feel like a celebration. The new introduction program received an average score of 8 in 2025.

Internal mobility

Alongside attracting new colleagues, we invest in retaining our people. In 2025, we launched the internal website ikwerkbijumcutrecht.nl, featuring vacancies and career opportunities specifically for our own employees.

We also brought together existing initiatives into a unified traineeship for nurses. Each year, this gives 30 to 40 newly qualified nurses a strong start in our hospital.

A pleasant and safe working environment

Being an attractive employer is not only about bringing in new colleagues, but above all about ensuring that people feel safe, seen and valued. In 2025, we therefore invested deliberately in a working environment where colleagues can speak up, develop and grow.

Competencies and skills

For our healthcare workers, we successfully completed the first phase of the Competencies & Skills program in 2025: a uniform registration of competencies and skills for reserved and high-risk procedures. Phase one resulted in future-proof policy and a system for competencies, and a new, uniform system for skills linked to training in ULearn. This strengthens professional development around skills and ensures our competency policy is ready for the future.

Social safety and development

In 2025, we strengthened social safety through dialogue training and ‘coffee-talk’ sessions, where colleagues discussed collaboration, addressing one another, and working with differences. We also offered low-threshold support for teams and individuals with questions or dilemmas. In this way, we build an open culture in which meaningful conversations become increasingly natural.

At the same time, we invested in development opportunities. Our academic talent and leadership programs were further developed in 2025 and highly valued by participants. With micro-learnings via GoodHabitz, we made working on personal and professional development accessible to colleagues in their daily work.

Vitality

At UMC Utrecht, we strive for a pleasant and healthy working environment. Creating a vital work culture for our colleagues is an important foundation in this regard. In 2025, we worked together on vitality for everyone through a range of initiatives.

Extra attention for colleagues working night shifts

Healthcare never stops. Even at night, our colleagues are there for patients. During the 2025 Week of the Night Worker, we gave special attention to our night-shift colleagues. We celebrated their contribution and focused on themes that support their health and vitality. We also highlighted nutrition and sleep – essential for maintaining energy, health, and job satisfaction – so they can remain sustainably employable.

Personal advice and support for our colleagues

In 2025, we offered colleagues various programs and arrangements to support their health, financial situation, and long-term employability. Employees could receive free consultations with a financial advisor to gain more control over their personal financial future.

We also paid extra attention to employees experiencing hormonal symptoms. Through a grant from SoFoKleS – the Social Fund for the Knowledge Sector – colleagues could participate in the VitalFem lifestyle program or make use of a consultation package with a Care for Women specialist. In 2025, 43 colleagues made use of a consultation, 43 colleagues participated in the twelve-week online VitalFem program, and fifteen colleagues attended a one-time masterclass.

In addition, the collective labor agreement for university medical centers were in force in 2025, including the early retirement scheme (RVU) in combination with the 80-90-100 scheme. This allows employees to work fewer hours five years before their retirement, while largely maintaining their pension accrual. Employees can also save leave hours throughout their career through balance leave. In 2025, 87 colleagues used the scheme for physically demanding roles.

Through these initiatives, we continued building a vital organization in 2025. An organization in which colleagues feel supported in every phase of life and under all circumstances. Because only vital employees can make a sustainable contribution to the healthcare of today and tomorrow.