SHINE - LGBTQI and Ally group
SHINE is our LGBTQI+ employee network at the NRMA
Our purpose is to create a culture of inclusion, safety, well-being and belonging, where people feel they can be authentic, no matter how they identify.
And while we proudly advocate for the inclusion of sexually and gender diverse communities, we want to ensure we create a workplace environment that offers peace of mind for now and long into the future, to ensure all our people feel confident and comfortable enough to be their true selves.
This is not simply about having and ticking off a ‘diversity and inclusion’ checklist, it goes far beyond that.
We want our people to enjoy coming to work or logging on, and bringing their best selves to the team. We're doing this to ensure a happier and ultimately more productive workforce and a greater sense of belonging organisation-wide.
SHINE at the NRMA
Here, all kinds of people work together to create the future.
See what the SHINE group has been up to within the NRMA and beyond.
Previous events and activities
SHINE events
A snapshot of a SHINE event at SOP.
Progress socks
Marine put their best feet forward with Progress socks.
Pride Stairs
Year round visibility with our very own Pride Stairs.
Wear it Purple Day
Staff during Wear it Purple Day at NRMA.
LGBTQI+ Inclusion
In July 2019, we established our first employee led network group named SHINE. SHINE provides a fantastic support network for our employees who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI+) as well as their allies. The group continues to raise awareness across the NRMA, with more LGBTQI+ employees coming to work feeling happy and comfortable in their own skin.
We also work with external partners like Pride in Diversity, the only not-for-profit workplace program in the country designed specifically for the LGBTQI+ community. What's more, our policies and benefits that are available to employees are inclusive of same sex partners and families.
We want our LGBTQI+ employees and Members to be proud of who they are, because we’re just as proud to stand alongside them.
AWEI Recognition
The NRMA was named as a Gold employer for LGBTQI+ employee inclusion at the 2024 Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) awards.
Our progress
Achievements
- All our policies are inclusive of LGBTQI+ employees and their families, and include specific examples for LGBTQI+ employees and avenues of support. For example the NRMA Group Anti-Discrimination Harassment Bullying and EEO Policy, Domestic & Family Violence policy, and travel policy.
- We updated the uniform policy for our SIXT division to remove gendered language. Our NRMA Group wide dress code policies and guidelines empower all employees, including trans, gender diverse and non-binary employees to dress in a manner (or select uniforms) that best reflects who they are.
- Where we collect employee personal information, the gender field has been updated to “Gender Identity” and included the following options: Female, Male, Non Binary / Gender Diverse, Prefer not to say.
- We have introduced gender affirmation leave policies for transitioning employees who are taking steps to affirm their gender.
- We’re committed to supporting our trans and gender diverse employees by creating a workplace where our facilities are more inclusive. We introduced all gender bathrooms to provide a more inclusive option for trans and gender diverse employees and guests, rather than using the binary gendered female and male toilets.
- We actively encourage and provide our people with ways they can visibly express their commitment and allyship towards LGBTQI+ inclusion. This includes providing email signatures incorporating pronouns, lanyards in pride colours, and virtual Teams backgrounds for LGBTQI+ days of significance.
- SHINE is included in our corporate orientation, as part of ‘Life at NRMA’ so that everyone feels welcome at the NRMA Group from day one.
- SHINE actively promotes and develops information on how to be an ally to LGBTQI+ employees including hosting training events, and creating guides on trans and gender diverse inclusion.
- We have made face-to-face LGBTQI+ Awareness / Inclusion / Ally Training available to all NRMA Group employees since our launch in 2019.
- We implemented confidential contacts and compiled a list of national and state based support services relevant to LGBTQI+ people, their families and friends.
- We have hosted a number of ‘Lunch n Learn’ sessions at the NRMA Group to celebrate LGBTQI+ days of significance, and raise awareness. For the Sydney Gay and Mardi Gras, we heard from two of the participants of the first Mardi Gras (‘The 78ers’) who joined us to recount those events, explain why Mardi Gras is still important today, and their hopes for the future.
- We mark several days of significance, and raised awareness with events, videos and articles. The NRMA logo is changed to a pride theme across our social media channels for Mardi Gras.
- We have a visible and active Executive Sponsor for LGBTQI+ inclusion at the NRMA Group who is an active advocate.
- The NRMA partnered with TELUS Health to provide NRMA employees and their families around the clock wellbeing and safety support for mental, physical and medical challenges.
