Alex, workforce administrator, tells us his CUH story.
Q: Tell us about your job
I support the estates and facilities teams with recruitment, and support various managers with workforce queries, working with HR colleagues when needed.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
Being able to help support staff wellbeing projects and work with such a wide range of amazing individuals.
Q: Tell us a bit about your CUH journey – when did you join, what positions have you held here – why you like working at CUH
I started working at CUH as an apprentice back in 2012/13 working in accident and emergency (A&E) and I stayed there for a few years. At this point I was still in the closet and presenting female. I do recall hearing side-comments that were negative towards transgender people from time to time, and this did impact how much I was able to accept myself definitely.
After A&E I moved to neurophysiology with a lovely team before moving to haematology where I stayed for a fair number of years. Around the time I was switching departments is when I realised I was transgender. My intention had been to get to the gender identity clinic to have doctors ‘confirm’ it before coming out.
However after a week of working in haematology, I realised I couldn’t pretend anymore now that I knew and a week later I came out. I was very lucky that everyone within haematology accepted and supported me.
I had issues with one colleague but I didn’t know how to handle the situation and said nothing, eventually they left the Trust. If I knew what I do now, I would’ve got my manager/HR involved.
All my colleagues in my current department, estates and facilities, have been 100% supportive and lovely - not just in terms of being queer and transgender but also with my disabilities (ADHD/chronic pain condition).
I love my current role because it enables me to help colleagues.
Q: How are you involved in our staff networks?
I’m involved in the LGBT+, Time to Change and Purple networks in some shape or other, and enjoy being able to contribute in these areas. It’s great this Trust supports us to improve the working lives of those within minority groups.
It genuinely feels like we can make meaningful change, especially with support from the executive board. I hope these networks continue to grow with newcomers and fresh perspectives.
There’s always more to learn and understand about each other and I feel these networks enable that personal growth.
Having the opportunity to further equality work has also led to amazing experiences such as sharing poetry at Open Mind Night and International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), as well as taking part in national conferences with Unison.
Q: How has CUH supported you to be your authentic self?
When I first came out as transgender my managers were very quick to change things such as my NHS e-mail, ID badge and let me lead on how I told my colleagues – in my case I opted for an e-mail. The responses that I got from that e-mail were so, so kind. It took me some time to figure out my sexual identity truthfully but none of my colleagues cared. When discussions of relationships happened nobody commented if I mentioned I was a dating a girl, guy or non-binary person.
At a Trust-wide level I see the work the EDI team and Trust board are doing. Programs like the reverse mentoring that the executives happily took part in tells me that at the very top level, the hospital wants to make things better for minority groups, and they’re not afraid to challenge poor behaviour when it occurs which is something we all need.
It is tiring being your own advocate constantly, or educating people about why pronouns and labels matter. I’m glad to see how willing CUH staff are to become true allies and I encourage people to not be afraid to research in their own time if there’s something they’re unsure of –
and of course if you’re ever unsure of our pronouns, I suggest you introduce yourself with your name and your own pronouns. It immediately tells the other person that this is a safe space to tell you theirs.