Edinburgh Trams are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment within the light rail network with new figures showing that their current workforce includes staff from 24 different countries across the world! From Argentina and Venezuela in South America via various European countries to Africa and across to places such as India, Nepal, Malaysia and Hong Kong the network has proved an attractive to work for a variety of people from different backgrounds.
The nationality of staff members isn’t where the diversity ends either as Edinburgh Trams are committed to welcoming people regardless of nationality, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
Sue Bucher, Edinburgh Trams Head of HR, said: “We take our responsibilities as a major Edinburgh employer very seriously and continually assess what improvements we can make to maintain a stimulating and supportive workplace where rocking our differences is valued, celebrated, and encouraged. From South America and Africa to Europe and Asia, our colleagues reflect the diversity of the millions of customers we serve. They bring personal experience and distinct perspectives to all departments which strengthens the whole business.”
One of the diverse members of staff is Marilena Papadopulou who was born in Greece and first started as a Customer Service & Ticketing Assistant almost a decade ago. She said: “Edinburgh Trams has been extremely helpful both in my professional and personal life. All my colleagues have thoroughly helped me to better understand British culture and have made me feel that I belong here. Thanks to my engineering qualification, I was appointed to the position of Renewals Manager in 2020 and I am now responsible for a 10-year programme with a budget of £50m, which has seen the installation of electric vehicle charging points in our depot among other projects.”
This is word soup. Anyone who employs anyone else in their own business operates a welcoming environment, or they wouldn’t be in business very long. I suggest Edinburgh Trams simply concentrates on running a successful tramway what ever that takes.
Well said, fellow Geoff! I’m afraid it’s the now all-too-common woke-ism that so many organizations spout.
Absolutely Geoff. As someone with a “mixed-race” partner, all this should go without saying. There shouldn’t need to be such “Policies” and “Pronouncements”.
Sadly, although I’m sure well-meant, it can very easily come across as patronising, and contrary to the intent; leave those from so-called “minorities” feeling they are there to fulfil a quota or facilitate a PR opportunity, rather than because actually they were the best candidate for the job.