UNITY - PRIDE IN OUR PEOPLE WEEK 3

Unity is one of the key behaviours outlined in our new Creators’ Code - working as one team and embracing difference so we can empower each other to deliver. That’s why we are proud to celebrate PRIDE Month this June and share the third instalment of our PRIDE in our People series. This week we speak to Genna Vicary from Stampings maintenance, who tells us about her LBGTQ+ personal experiences and working in manufacturing.

Were you open about your sexual orientation when you started at JLR?  

“Yes, I was completely open about my sexual orientation when I started at Halewood back in 2012.” 

What was your perception on starting work and how it would be received?  

“I have always been open about my private life so I didn’t overthink how I might be perceived because of it. To me, it is just who I am, and I will always be true to myself.”  

 

How was it received by your workgroups/peers? 

“I haven’t experienced any negativity because of my sexual orientation but I have been subject to a handful of inappropriate questions and remarks. However, I’ve always turned this into something positive and used it as a way of educating people around me. Helping them to understand that not everyone is okay with intrusive questions about their personal life might make them think twice before they say anything like that to someone else.” 

 

Have you got any advice you’d like to share?  

“Always be true to yourself. My nan has always told me that people will always have their opinions but the only ones that matter are the ones of those closest to you. This has stuck with me and helped me shake off any negativity and to just be proud of who I am.”  

 

If you would like to find out more about the Halewood PRIDE Network and how to join, please contact the Halewood Pride Network lead,  Kim Challis.