Embracing our differences

Throughout this week we’re sharing stories from around the business to highlight our inclusion campaign - Altogether Different.

Sarah-Jane Onions is a helpdesk team leader with Parcelforce customer experience. She has severe hearing loss, co-chairs the Parcelforce LGBT & Friends network, and is a member of our Disability steering group.

‘I’m 39 years young, I love a challenge, and I am enthusiastic about everything,’ said Sarah-Jane. ‘I am married with a 20-year-old daughter and I have worked for Parcelforce for the past five years. I am a straight ally for the Parcelforce LGBT steering group and last year, I led Parcelforce down the streets of Birmingham during Birmingham Pride.

‘To me, diversity means being open to people who are different to you, whether that involves their race, age, gender, religious or political beliefs, sexuality and physical abilities. It means being considerate to people who think differently to you, being willing to accept others for who they are and being interested in learning about their different cultures.

‘I think it’s really important to celebrate Inclusion Week as it helps to build closer relationships with your team. If you have a team full of different sexualities, races and religions, or even if you don’t, it can help colleagues feel involved and closer as a community. You’ll find that it can also educate people who otherwise wouldn’t know much about diversity, especially when you have older generations who may not have been involved so much with discussing or thinking about various strands of diversity.

‘Having severe hearing loss was a real challenge for me when I was growing up and even more so now in the workplace. But Parcelforce has supported me throughout my time here. Even something small like allowing me to have a phone which connects with my cochlear implant was something which has helped me enormously.

‘In terms of how each of us can be a positive influence in our own areas of work, I would stress the importance of celebrating different cultures. Join in with your colleagues’ celebrations. Even a small gesture can go a long way.

‘If I was to suggest one thing colleagues reading this could do to support diversity, I would say, be mindful that what you might deem as “humour” could potentially upset others. Having said that, I can happily say that I have never been a victim of cruelty in the workplace during my time at Parcelforce.’

Watch our video below to hear more on what it feels like to be included.

Supporting colleagues with disabilities

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Making our business a place where colleagues with disabilities can achieve their potential remains a priority.

Our Disability steering group was established in 2014, with its key objective being to improve the experience of disabled colleagues at Royal Mail. Call our internal disability helpline on 0800 028 6142 for advice if you are a disabled employee or manager looking for support with organising reasonable adjustments.

For more information on how to obtain support from the group or if you would like advice on managing someone with a disability, please contact DisabilitySteeringGroup@royalmail.com.