WHAT MAKES RAILSTAFF AWARDS UNIQUE?

EVERY YEAR, THE RAILSTAFF AWARDS ATTRACTS MORE ENTRIES, MORE INTEREST AND MORE COMPANIES THAN EVER BEFORE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT A CORPORATE EVENT. WHY?

The rail industry, like almost all other industries, has its fair share of awards evenings. Organised by trade associations, publications, interested parties and even individual companies, they are all pretty much the same. Only the RailStaff Awards stands out as being completely different from all the others.

Since its inception in 2007, the annual RailStaff Awards has been quite different from all the other rail industry events that take place throughout the year.

The first major difference is that no company ever wins anything. The RailStaff Awards are for rail staff – the people that make the industry great. There are 22 categories, some for teams, some for individuals and some for both, but they are all for people.

Of course, all of those people work for a company, and their employer will get the kudos of them winning an award. Indeed, many companies encourage employees to enter, and even help them do so. Posters appear on company noticeboards, and it is possible that some nominations are even written by company PR departments, but, at the end of the day, it is the person that is in the frame, not the company.

Very often, the entrant isn’t even nominated for being a good employee, or a good representative of the company. The Rail Engineer of the Year doesn’t win because she is great at engineering, and the Rail Manager of the Year isn’t a winner because he is a conscientious manager. No, they win because of what else they do, in their spare time and between shifts. They work to support colleagues, the public and the industry, to make the railway safer or to help the needy and infirm, to help schoolchildren be safe around the railway and to develop new ways to make the railway more efficient and perform better – often not in the area in which they normally work.

In short, they win for ‘going the extra mile’ – a rather hackneyed phrase but one which, in this case, describes exactly what the judges are looking for. Do you work with an extraordinary train driver, station manager or engineer? Nominate them in one of 22 categories today:

THE CATEGORIES IN FULL:

• Apprentice of the Year • Award for Charity • Covid Hero - Outstanding Individual Award • Covid Heroes - Outstanding Team Award • Customer Service Award • Depot Staff Award • Digital Railway Person (S&T) or Team Award • Graduate or Newcomer Award • Health & Wellbeing Award • HR, Diversity & Inclusion Person or Team Award • Learning & Development Award • Lifetime Achievement Award • Marketing & Communications Team Award • Rail Civils / Infrastructure Team Award • Rail Engineer of the Year • Rail Manager of the Year • Rail Person of the Year • Rail Project Manager Award • Rail Team of the Year • Safety Person or Team Award • Samaritans Lifesaver Award • Station Staff Award

NOMINATIONS AND PUBLIC VOTING

The second difference from other awards is that nobody enters. Everyone is nominated by somebody else. So, individuals and teams are nominated by colleagues and co-workers, by management, by friends, by union reps and even by the public. Anyone can nominate and there are only two rules – you can’t nominate yourself, and you can’t work for RailStaff (which would be a bit unfair).

It's also preferable if the nominee doesn’t work for the category’s sponsor, as that can affect the judging. So, for example, a train manufacturer could choose to sponsor the Depot Staff award, as many of those depot staff will be working in that company’s depots, and then encourage its own staff to be nominated for other awards.

Once the nominations are in, details are posted on the Awards’ website and then the public voting commences. Yes – public voting! Anyone and everyone can go onto the website and vote for their favourite, whether it be for an entry that has really impressed them or just for their mate. This is when the nominees need to mobilise their fan clubs to get the votes in.

Once the public voting is complete, details of the top fifteen in each of the 22 categories go off to the judges – a mix of independent people, RailStaff personnel and category sponsors. The judging teams then choose a winner and up to two ‘highly commended’ entries for each category.

To give some idea of the volumes involved, in 2019, the 20 categories attracted 1,359 nominations for 765 nominees (some had multiple nominations) proposed by 1,221 nominators. Those nominees then received 100,776 public votes, or an average of 131 votes each.

EVERYONE HAS A GREAT TIME

On the night, after a good dinner and some spectacular entertainment – usually consisting of fire breathers hanging from the ceiling by ribbons (watch the video on the website if you don’t believe it!) – the compere runs through the various categories, every short-listed finalist is named, the highly commended entries are announced, then the category winners go up on stage to receive their awards to thunderous applause (and sometimes a lot of screaming from colleagues at the table!).

After the presentations are over, and photographs taken, the RailStaff Awards shows the third way in which it differs from other industry affairs. Rather than the largely male audience leaving their tables and aiming for the bar, which is what happens at many other events, in this case, as the Awards are for people, many have spouses, partners and/ or colleagues with them. Let the party begin!

Dancing continues until one, and there are various other activities to indulge in as well.

In summary, the annual RailStaff Awards is an EVENT. It’s a celebration of what makes our industry great - its people. Winners and finalists come from all levels of the industry. And you know what? They all mix and mingle and have a great time.

If you’ve not been to the RailStaff Awards, then you should. No, you must! It’s not a ball (but there are some great party frocks), it’s not a networking event (though it is), and it’s not a corporate event (though corporate pays for most of it). It is all of those things and more. It’s the RailStaff Awards!

HR, DIVERSITY

AND INCLUSION

One of the longer titles for a category in this year’s RailStaff Awards - the HR, Diversity & Inclusion Person or Team Award - is also actually one of the most topical.

Diversity is always in the spotlight. Whether it is Network Rail’s attempts to get its proportion of female employees up above 20 per cent, the activities of the Archway network for the railway’s LGBT+ community, or initiatives to include more disabled, ethnic minority and disadvantaged people into the rail community, it is all of great public interest.

The specialists who look after diversity and inclusion tend to work for HR – human resources. So, the three areas are rightly combined in this award.

Of course, winners don’t necessarily win for their work in these fields, so the actual nomination could be for something completely different.

HR SUPPORT

The last winner, though, did win for his efforts in HR support.

Dave Rees joined WSP’s UK rail business in 2008. Since then, it has engendered a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion while growing its headcount from around 250 to 760. His practical approach has helped deliver exceptional results for WSP and put it in a strong position to achieve its ultimate objective of being Britain’s first genderbalanced engineering consultancy.

As a result of Dave’s insight, drive and industry knowledge, particularly in identifying and targeting post-chartership staff as the group most at-risk of leaving, WSP’s attrition rate has fallen from 17 to seven per cent. It is becoming an ‘employer of choice’, attracting and retaining the most talented rail people in the industry.

As well as training the senior leadership team to see things from a people perspective, he has overseen the roll-out of ‘unconscious bias’ training to almost all senior rail staff, to ensure they make the right decisions when recruiting or recognising progress. The proportion of female graduates in the rail division has risen from 12 per cent in 2015 to 43 per cent in 2019.

Picking up the award, Dave said: “I’m fairly modest about what I do. I feel I’m just doing my day job, but other people see something I don’t – thinking outside the box, trying to bring a different view into what the business tries to achieve - and hopefully it works and we improve our inclusion, our diversity, the way we do things.”

FREIGHTLINER

The RailStaff Awards Sponsor of the HR, Diversity and Inclusion Award, G&W UK/ Europe Region companies, which includes Freightliner and Pentalver, place great emphasis on improving diversity and inclusion across its three business platforms of Rail, Road and Terminals.

This is reflected in their company value of Respect – "We treat all people with dignity and fairness, fostering diversity and inclusion" and is why they are delighted to be sponsoring the HR, Diversity and Inclusion category at this year’s RailStaff Awards. Attracting highly skilled and diverse talent to G&W UK/ Europe Region companies has been an ongoing priority for the Group. With a stronger focus on diversity and inclusion in the last few years, they are slowly starting to reap the benefits, especially with the recruitment of females into frontline operational roles, including train and truck drivers.

Following a complete relaunch of the company website last year, the Careers pages now feature testimonials and videos of female colleagues in engineering and frontline roles and recruitment advertising promotes and celebrates a diverse workforce highlighting the development and career opportunities available to all. Ensuring equal opportunities are available regardless of background, race or gender is of the upmost importance – particularly in historically non-diverse industries such as rail and logistics.

The group have also been approved to join WORK180 as an Endorsed Employer for Women - the UK’s only jobs board which prescreens employers before they can advertise jobs against a set of criteria, including pay equity, flexible working, women in leadership and paid parental leave.

Neil McNicholas and Margaret Capps.

Actively participating in events such as the Women in Rail sponsored Big Rail Diversity Challenge has provided an opportunity to showcase that teamwork and diversity is not only beneficial, but also essential to the productivity and success of a business.

G&W UK/Europe also support the Women in Rail Awards and are proud that one of their female train drivers was Highly Commended in the ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’ category and their Engineering Standards and Audit Manager is shortlisted in this year’s Everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards – all raising the profile of a career in Rail/Transport for women.

G&W UK/Europe value the importance of getting first-hand feedback from female frontline workforce which is why they again celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day by inviting 50+ female colleagues to an interactive online event. The working group session provided a valuable opportunity to gain insight from a range of frontline operational colleagues on how G&W UK can improve diversity and encourage more females into frontline roles as well as how they can ensure every single person in the company is valued, heard, respected, empowered, and feels a true sense of belonging.

In the words of G&W UK HR director, Glynis Appelbe “If we do not embrace and welcome change and diversity, irrespective of what sphere of life or work we are operating in, then we run the risk of being left behind and ill equipped to face the diverse and changing challenges work, or life, present us with. We also inevitably fail to seize and capitalise on emerging and exciting opportunities either personally or work wise. As an industry, and as a business, if we are not willing to change and to diversify, then we run the risk of continuing to think and operate in the same way we have always done and hence we will end up with the same results which is absolutely not what we want.”

The announcment comes that Dave Rees has won the RailStaff Award for HR, Diversity and Inclusion in 2019.

STATION

STAFF

The men and women who staff the 2,500 railway stations around the country have a lot to cope with.

They have to keep those stations safe for passengers, make sure they are clean and provide opportunities for ‘retail therapy’ for passengers in a hurry as well as for those with time on their hands.

Train-operator staff have to sell tickets and then check them, direct passengers and answer a multitude of questions. They are expected to know everything about the railway, the local area, bus timetables, taxi fares and the weather forecast.

They also have to despatch trains, assist passengers boarding and disembarking, look after or search for lost luggage and dispense first aid. Oh, and they have to deal with drunks, vagrants, children, the harassed, the pregnant, the disabled, the suicidal and the just confused.

Above all, they have to be nice to people, all the time, no matter what.

It’s a mammoth job that goes largely unnoticed. Passengers are often quick to complain yet slow to praise.

But colleagues notice a job well done. Last year, 98 nominations were received for the Station Staff award, sponsored by the Transport Benevolent Fund CIO.

RAY OF SUNSHINE

Under the headline ‘Frontline Heroes’, last year’s review of the RailStaff Awards described how Aaron Koduah brightens up passengers’ journeys with his self-penned motivational messages on the announcement board at Crewe station.

For more than four years, Aaron, who works at the station as a welcome host, has provided a ray of sunshine for customers on even the dreariest of days with his contagious smile and often topical thoughts of the day.

At first, he was nervous about doing something differently, but, with his message board becoming synonymous with Crewe, and celebs such as Paul ‘The Sinnerman’ Sinha from gameshow ‘The Chase’ taking snaps of his quotes, Aaron now takes great pride in the impact he’s able to make to customer’s days.

He has also channelled his positive energy into publishing a book: Developing A Strong Mindset, which features a collection of his favourite quotes.

Aaron, who works on the gateline, received 17 submissions from customers and colleagues during the nomination process, and, for having such an impact on the customer experience at Crewe, he was recognised in the Station Staff Award category.

The former soldier’s outlook is even more remarkable considering he and his partner were hit with tragic news last year when their son died shortly after he was born. Aaron said: “I just feel like life changes so, when you are in a bad situation you have to keep holding on because you don’t know what the future holds.”

HELPING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Transport Benevolent Fund CIO (TBF) returns to sponsor The Station Staff of the Year Award this year, a membership charity that offers a wide range of financial, health, welfare and financial benefits to public transport workers should need, hardship or distress arise.

Chris Sullivan, chair of TBF, said: “These awards are important, we need to encourage more young people into this business - people like Aaron with his attitude towards the work. They’re the people that will drive the railway forward - it’s not the big money that’s being invested. It’s all about the people, just like TBF.”

Anyone engaged in the public transport industry in Great Britain is eligible to join. Membership currently costs just £1 a week, covering the member, their partner and dependent children. Each family member is considered separately and benefits paid are not cumulative for the whole family. The membership fee can be deducted through the company payroll facility or, if not available, paid by standing order.

Benefits include cash grants to help cover various needs including short-term financial hardship from sickness (typically two weeks or more), debt advice, legal help on non-employment matters and bereavement grants.

TBF also offers medical benefits such as second opinions, scans and tests (if the NHS is unable to deliver within an acceptable time frame), a wide range of complementary and alternative therapies, medical equipment, prescription pre-payment certificates and convalescence.

Chris Sullivan and Aaron Koduah.

The Fund was originally formed in 1923 and the needs of today’s members are very different to those of 97 years ago. Unfortunately, there are still cases of hardship among those who work in the public transport industry; even more so during the difficult times everyone is living through at the moment. TBF currently has nearly 68,000 members and the continuing relevance of the Fund’s work is best illustrated by the volume of awards to members, which, during the past 12 months, have been in excess of £2.8million.

The Fund is run by a board of trustees, the majority of whom work in the industry, that decides on all benefits. TBF’s patrons include leading figures in the major transport groups and trades unions.

In recognition of the valuable work carried out by all those working in the rail sector, TBF has supported the RailStaff Awards for many years. John Sheehy, TBF CEO and main judge of the nominees for the Station Staff award, said: “TBF is here to help its members in times of need and the Station Staff award is a great opportunity to thank those who regularly help others in need. Members of station staff are an integral part of the railway and, being the first point of contact for passengers, they play a very important role in helping customers’ experience on the railway to be a safe and pleasant one.

“Staff often face difficult situations requiring compassion and courage. On a day-to-day basis, they are the unsung heroes of the railway, and that is why TBF is proud to take this opportunity to acknowledge their valuable contribution to the sector.

“When judging the nominees for the Station Staff Award category we are looking for a commitment to helping others, ensuring customers have a positive experience of the railway. The potential winner should be reliable, hardworking and demonstrate their initiative in response to often challenging, and occasionally, lifethreating situations.”

Proud sponsors of the Station Staff Award, 2021

With the support of the TOCs, Network Rail and other employers throughout the industry, we now have over 66,700 members. Membership offers a wide range of health, welfare and financial benefits for those working in the public transport industry, helping to improve members’ work-life balance and reduce staff turnover for the employer.

Just £1.25 a week covers you, your partner and dependent children