Diversity and Inclusion
The importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace is key to enhancing the future of Australia’s rail sector.
More diversity with less adversity
Environmental, Social and Governance matters have gained a greater importance in recent years, and it’s certainly more than just a clichéd phrase.
The railway sector, like many other industries, has rightly prioritised sustainability in its operations and practices. But it’s not just about environmental stewardship: it involves social welfare to deliver long-term value to stakeholders, encompassed in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) philosophy, which represents a framework to identify, evaluate and manage non-financial issues relevant to both an organisation and its stakeholders. The environmental aspect looks at impacts on the planet such as energy and water use, waste discharges and resources needed, as well as development of sustainable products and services. Governance considers the policies, organisational structure, and systems of practice that guide how an organisation operates in a transparent and inclusive manner.
30 | ISSUE 3 - A P R I L 2022 | RAIL EXPRESS
And the social element – which has been growing in prominence – drives awareness of and improvement of workforce inclusivity and wellbeing, human rights and social equity, as well as relationships with local communities and stakeholders throughout the value chain. Overall, strong ESG performance creates shared value for workers, communities, investors and broader society: how the industry operates is as important as what it does. The rail industry must be both safe and environmentally and socially responsible in order to both make an economic contribution and support societal ambitions, such as meeting climate change targets. Robust ESG performance is built off investment in workforce skills and capability, research, new technologies and innovative practice to improve safety and workforce diversity, drive down emissions and water use,
support biodiversity and reduce waste. A 2020 report by Victoria University into changing workforces stated that with labour shortages a long-term issue currently facing public transport, there is a critical need to attract and retain a diverse and innovative workforce to ensure future sustainability of the industry. The paper said that to understand what is needed by the rolling stock sector, it is important to ascertain the organisational and cultural strengths within it, and the barriers to creating “an inclusive learning workforce that can retain and attract the diverse and innovative workforce they wish to become”. It said that due to the evolution of technology and the need for innovation, people and the work they do in all areas of public transport are now critical to the future sustainability of the sector as a whole.
