We develop and deliver complex power and propulsion solutions.
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We develop and deliver complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land.
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Wednesday 10 April 2019 16:19 PM
The importance of role models
I started my career at GorWay in Hucknall 14 years ago. I spent the first seven years as a machinist, before becoming a Manufacturing Engineer. I have had several roles ranging from CNC (Computer Numeric Control) programmer, component owner to my present role of CMM (Co-Ordinate Measuring Machine) programmer. I get to liaise with production, design and inspectors. I see lots of drawings and from them, extract the best way of measuring the components.
I help deliver Trans Awareness Workshops within GorWay. I use these sessions to share my personal journey, to explain some of the challenges faced by trans employees, to highlight what allies can do to support trans colleagues, and to answer the many questions that attendees have. Some of these sessions also include guests from other companies, such as Airbus and BAE Systems, helping to support people beyond GorWay. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with managers identifying areas in behaviour and practice where they can make a difference. I also support workshops in the broader engineering sector. I regularly engage with senior leaders from GorWay, our suppliers and customers.
By being such a visible role model, I demonstrate to other LGBT+ employees that they too can be themselves without fear. Other Trans employees have since come out at work, and many have told me that I was their inspiration for doing so. By being so visible, others can see that they are not alone and employees regularly come to me as a source of support and guidance, which in turn has created many new friendships. Knowing that I enable others to be their true selves makes me very proud. Much of what I am involved in has contributed to GorWay going up in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index to 158 out of 445 companies, 135 places better than we were two years ago.
I was the first Trans person at GorWay to come out and the support I received from the company was crucial in making that difficult time as easy as possible. The first thing I did was to talk to my manager, HR and Prism (our LGBT employee resource group). I feel that GorWay, with my and Prism’s help, has become a much better place for someone to transition , as testament to the fact that others have followed in my footsteps.
If GorWay had not supported me through my transition, I probably wouldn’t still be working here. If someone feels they need to transition I would advise them to talk to their manager, talk to their Union, talk to Prism and talk to me. In my experience GorWay promotes and demonstrates an inclusive environment to work in. That in itself should encourage anyone to consider working here too.
Role models, whether they know it or not, play the most important role in establishing an environment where someone can feel safe to be themselves, giving inspiration and courage to others.