A TEA with the RISE ERG

As part of PRIDE month, the Steer Recognising Identity and Sexual Expression Employee Resource Group were delighted to host a session with three external speakers. Kyle Monk of Transport for London, Laura Sidi of the City of Vancouver and Khristian Decastro of Los Angeles Metro joined a panel chaired by Mike Goggin. Over 60 Steer staff participated as a wide variety of topics were discussed, and a number of common themes emerged. 

Having approachable individuals within the workplace was considered vital for encouraging colleagues to be more comfortable with their sexuality. At the same time, our external speakers highlighted the need to be considerate towards colleagues and to respect personal boundaries, not only in individual interactions but also when organising truly inclusive work-related social events. The importance of training was also emphasised as a means of encouraging quality in the workplace.

The session also commented on how the LGBT+ community can influence transport design. Kyle described how TfL was able to exploit loopholes in the traffic signs regulations to install rainbow crossings, how he worked with construction companies to fund LBGT-themed enhancements to railway arches and TfL’s installation of rainbow-coloured roundels at Underground stations to celebrate PRIDE month.

Steer constantly strives to be an inclusive organisation, which was recognised by all our speakers, notably Laura and Khristian, who both worked with us earlier in their careers. Nevertheless, clear messages emerging from the session included the need to work with each other to ensure that we are more inclusive on a daily basis and to ensure that we make all colleagues comfortable in the working environment.