Everyday pride

This week we have been celebrating National Inclusion Week, an opportunity to celebrate everyday inclusion in all its forms and acknowledge the importance of placing equality, diversity and respect at the heart of our business.

Today we hear from Julia Casson, senior content production manager, on what she loves about her role on the social media team and her views on why it’s so important for LGBT+ colleagues to feel comfortable being themselves at work.

‘I’ve been at Royal Mail for almost 13 years now having originally started as a temp at a contact centre in Angel, north London,’ said Julia. ‘I now work on the Royal Mail social media team. I’m a content producer – which means that I make the films, which are shown on Royal Mail’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn channels. 

‘I’ve also been on the LGBT+ & Friends steering group for the last five years. The team has grown a huge amount over that time, and we’ve had some really memorable achievements, such as our famous rainbow postbox in Soho for 2018’s Pride in London event.

‘My role on the steering group has been really diverse in its self! Over the years, I’ve helped the group set up and run its secret Facebook group, and helped to produce all kinds of creative content, whether that’s taking thousands of photographs at events, filming and editing videos, or producing newsletters and posters. 

‘I’ve also taken a spot at organising events. Last year, I organised our attendance at Trans* Pride in Brighton, which was a brilliant day as our group took part in a march and ran a stall in the park. Our rainbow postbox was a big hit, and the colleagues who came along on the day all had a great experience. For me though, the best thing about the day, was being able to do something that welcomed our Trans* colleagues to such a large-scale event that was held to celebrate them as a group and the fact that it was supported by Royal Mail.

‘I think it’s really important that everyone, not just LGBT+ colleagues, is able to be themselves at work without having to hide or feel like they need to “cover up” anything about themselves. Everyone should be proud of who they are – no matter what!

‘Royal Mail as a company, is ingrained in every community across the country. If we can create a culture where we can celebrate and include everyone, in every office, we can help to change how the wider community behaves. 

‘I believe that if our colleagues actively champion diversity at work, challenge discrimination and encourage inclusivity – this will create positive changes outside of work. That’s millions of lives we can affect for the better!’ 

Get involved

The LGBT+ & Friends steering group was established in 2015 with the goal of creating an accessible network for LGBT+ colleagues and supporters to come together and share their experiences.

If you would like to set up a local network or get involved in the steering group, you can email them at LGBT&Friends@royalmail.com, and let them know what you would like to do.

You can also subscribe to their newsletter and join their protected Facebook group, just email them with your pay number and the email address you use to sign into Facebook and they will send you an invitation.