Following several complaints from HQ staff, a letter to the Director DRM has been sent by the Staff Association to request UNAIDS to conduct a professional study of the HQ Building in Geneva

“Sick Building Syndrome” or “Building-related Illness” is not something new. It’s a modern day disease of our air tight energy efficient homes and the stagnant chemical or biological pollutant filled air that may consequently accumulate indoors.

To read the letter :

Open Page 1

Open Page 2

To learn more about the “Sick Building Syndrome” type “Sick Building” in googleor check one of these links :

Wikipedia Article

“Sick Building Syndrome” from the US Environmental Protection Agency

The USSA Needs You !

Dear Geneva Colleagues,

There is a vacancy on the Executive Committee of the Staff Association in Geneva due to the fact that one of the Committee will be leaving UNAIDS.

Normally when such a situation arises between elections the Executive Committee can co-opt any member of the Staff Association from Geneva (in this case) onto the Committee until the next election. However we would rather not go this route in the interest of transparency and we would like to give all members of the Staff Association in Geneva the opportunity to let us know if they are interested to fill this position until the next official election. For further information on what being a Committee Member entails, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website : http://www.ussa-unaids.org/

If you are interested, please contact any elected Committee Member, or reply to this email explaining what you think you could bring to the Staff Association Executive Committee. The deadline for receipt of applications is COB Monday, 10 August.

Very best wishes

Your Staff Association

This week some of our colleagues from Eastern Europe and Central Asia attended a 5 days workshop and trainings on various topics relevant to their daily work.

It was a great pleasure for the Staff Association to present its Geneva based members and engage with such a nice group. It was also a good opportunity to get feedback on issues faced by staff in the country offices, such as their right to join local UNDP staff associations.

From the USSA we all thank you for your visit and wish you the best of luck and a safe trip home !

The air is lighter and so is the mood, the space is bigger, the light is brighter… and we can finally breathe properly when someone comes to see us (especially the Chair!). 

If you haven’t noticed yet, the USSA Office moved from one side of the corridor to the other on the 3rd floor, from the “Harry Potter closet” to a regular office. We are very excited!

We are particularly grateful to Cédric, Jean-Charles, Daniel, Susie, Johanna, the entire Executive Committee, and not forgetting Michel, for their concern and assistance. 

We have checked with the two photocopiers who kindly switched offices with us and they seem very happy with their new surroundings – not traumatised at all!

Tanya and Cinzia

looking forward to the recognition of domestic and same-sex partnerships

As a result of staff advocacy for the recognition of domestic and same-sex partnerships the UNAIDS Administration is committed to championing this cause through the HR Network and Chief Executives Board mechanisms.

Last week UNAIDS Human Resources presented a paper at the HR Network in New York, USSA wants to share with you the outcomes of this presentation for such a change.

The presentation was positively received. General support was expressed for the principle of expanding the basis for recognition to allow for recognition based on location of the ceremony. To recognize a partnership on the basis of the country where it is contracted provides more options for members of staff if their home country does not allow same-sex partnerships. The paper also made suggestions that steps be taken to streamline the current verification process. Organizations flagged the need to consult with their legal departments before approving any such changes to expand the current rules. There are political and cost implications of such a change. UNAIDS volunteered to continue to take the lead on this initiative within the HR Network and it will be subject to further discussion at the next meeting. we congratulate Nancy Raphael and her team for the fantastic work in putting together and promoting such a great concept.

The Executive Director has given his full support to this initiative that we all expect to become a reality.