At Shell, we support and enable remarkable people from every background, and strive to be a pioneer of LGBT inclusion in the workplace.
By sharing and listening to each other’s experiences, we can contribute to a more inclusive world. We asked Shell colleagues around the world to share their inspiring stories. This is Samantha’s.
Title: D&I - Samantha
Duration: {2.56} minutes
Description:
Samantha, Offshore Manager, Shell.
Samantha is speaking directly to us. Looking in the lens, she tells us her story – in her own words – at Shell we’re stronger together by being unique.
D&I – Samantha, Master Transcript
[Background music plays]
Calm, gentle piano music plays over the film.
[Visuals]
We see a photo of a young boy.
[Text displays]
I wanted to be like my mum
To wear those dresses.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha, sitting in an armchair. A man is beside her. He claps his hands, like a clapper board. Samantha is smiling at the camera.
[Text displays]
Samantha, Offshore Manager, Shell.
Voiceover
I prayed every night, that I would wake up the next day, and I would be female. I would be. And that was every single night of my life, I prayed that.
[Visuals]
Samantha is sitting in her chair. She is looking straight at the camera. She uses her hands to emphasis her statement.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha holding a photo album, looking at photos, flicking through the pages. She is smiling at the memories.
Voiceover
Going to school, the teachers actually put a sign saying ‘boy’ round my neck and try and instil that you’ve got to be a boy.
[Visuals]
We see a carousel of photographs moving clockwise, of Samantha as a child.
Voiceover
And it was a message, a constant drumbeat through, through my growing up. You know that, boys don’t cry, don’t play with girls.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha in her chair. The camara cuts to a photograph of her as a young boy.
Voiceover
By the time I was seventeen, I had some feminine clothes that I bought myself. My father came across the clothes, and I was made to burn them. So, to fit in, I burnt them.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha in profile. She is looking at the camera.
Voiceover
And this is where I was told, you can’t live this sort of life. I hid myself away. I tried to be, what I was being told I had to be.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha drinking from a purple cup.
Voiceover
I was twenty-one, twenty-two…. And I was fortunate enough, to end up working with Shell in the Brent field.
[Visuals]
We see an oil rig. Rig works are getting out of a helicopter. You hear the sound of the helicopter. We see workers, working on the rig.
Voiceover
But for me, it was more to do with working for 2 weeks, and then having 2 weeks off.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha, in her chair, with her dog.
Voiceover
The 2 weeks I was at home, were split predominantly by being feminine. And I had a social media page. My, “my real-life persona” on line, or my real desired persona.
[Visuals]
Samantha is in her chair. Talking to the camera.
Voiceover
That’s when fate intervened.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha from the side. Sitting in her chair.
Voiceover
One colleague saw a photograph of me, feminine.
[Visuals]
We photographs of Samantha feminine.
Voiceover
They did the most wonderful thing.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha from talking directly to the camera.
Voiceover
They just said they were there for me.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha from the side. Sitting in her chair. Shaking her head.
Voiceover
I mean it brings a tear to my eye even now, what that person did.
[Visuals]
We see Samantha smiling and laughing.
Voiceover
My life for the first 35 years was an acting job. Now I go to work, I’m me. I'm Samantha.
Voiceover
We talk about authenticity, honesty, respect for people. You know there is so much we can learn about one another. I now spend my days listening, supporting, impowering others.
[Visuals]
We finish on a shot of Samantha, sitting in her chair, smiling at the camera.
[Background music plays]
Shell Sound of Shell jingle closes.
[Text displays]
Shell: Unique People. Powerful together.
[Visuals]
A Shell CTA & pectin appears on screen.
At Shell, we care about the diversity of our people because we believe that a fully inclusive workplace allows our employees to flourish and so allows our business to flourish.
When our employees excel, we excel. It’s for this reason that we are proud to support our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff, promoting equality for employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Meet Kathleen, a speechwriter at Shell who shares her experience of ‘coming out’.
Meet James, co-founder and President of Kaleidoscope, to learn how the network has grown and what lies ahead at Shell.
Meet Karrie, who challenges senior leaders to stand up and speak out about their sexuality, which helps liberate closeted employees.
Shell consistently scored 100% in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index which rates US companies on LGBT equality.
Shell has been consistently ranked as a Top Employer in the Workplace Pride Global inclusive workplace benchmark survey.
During the week of Pride Amsterdam 2018 in the Netherlands, four Shell retail stations in the area proudly wear the rainbow colours, the universal symbol for equality. By supporting Pride Amsterdam, we want to let our staff, partners, customers and the wider community know that Shell values and celebrates the freedom to be who you are. Want to find out more? Have a look at the video above.
Duration: 01:33 minutes.
Description
At Shell we encourage everyone to be their true self, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. We believe that a fully inclusive workplace allows our employees, and our business, to flourish. When our employees excel, we excel. It’s for this reason that we are proud to support our LGBT+ employees from around the world.
During Pride Week, four Shell stations around Amsterdam will proudly carry the symbol of the LGBT+ community, the rainbow flag. Because we believe that diversity should be seen and celebrated. Welcome to Shell - Everyone.
[Background music]
Peaceful piano music
[Siegfied Margaritha]
I think diversity is very important because, you need to be able to be you. It’s as simple as that.
[Ram Baldewsingh]
Diversity is very important for society , because we need each other.
[Marina Bekkoui]
Simply being open and welcoming to everybody, everyone is equal; and if you can project that as a large company that’s very good for society.
[Marcel de Vreede]
Many people use this zebra crossing and are reminded of it every day – not just at Shell. In a country like the Netherlands, diversity should be such that everyone can be who they are and express themselves.
[Jordi Emaar]
I do think that without diversity, life would perhaps be boring. Through the different cultures, different people, you can make a very good life out of it.
[Norbert van Beelen]
I think it’s courageous. The fact that Shell, is one of the first, and in some countries is taking the lead, I find that really courageous. It is not just like, “Look at me, I have a lanyard with pretty colours.”’ It is also because I want to be active and have people address me about diversity and inclusiveness.
[Machteld de Haan]
This is why four stations around Amsterdam are displaying the symbol of equality: the rainbow flag. Because we believe that diversity should be seen and celebrated. Welcome to Shell. Everyone.
Our approach is all about reinforcing respect for our employees and raising awareness rather than changing individual beliefs. Our Code of Conduct expects us to provide equal opportunity for all staff wherever they work regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“To create an inclusive work environment where all employees, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are given every opportunity to reach their full potential. We will ensure respect for our people and providing psychological safety for LGBT staff at Shell in line with our core values.”
Shell LGBT Networks have been set up as a supportive space for LGBT colleagues to find confidence in being themselves at work. They aim to raise awareness of the challenges that LGBT staff face and work with people at all levels of the organisation to ensure Shell is an inclusive workplace.
The first LGBT Network was established at Shell in the US in 1997 and was soon followed by networks around the world, including in the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, India and as recently as 2015 in South Africa (see box).
“I’m so grateful to work for an organisation that not only supported the launch of this network but constantly strives to become a more inclusive space for its employees. I look forward to seeing Kaleidoscope continue to reach beyond our corporate head offices to our people in regional Australia.”
- James Fowler, Mechanical Engineer and co-founder & President of Kaleidescope, Shell Australia’s LGBTI+ Network
They connect colleagues – including allies - across the business and raise awareness by breaking down barriers, for example by running awareness and support sessions, and participating in local events.
Our support for LGBT equality includes:
Take a look at our video Celebrating Pride All Around the World
Professionals like Karrie Trauth are proud to work and inspire others at Shell, and we aspire to offer the kind of environment that attracts and motivates them to give their best.
“Since working at Shell, I’ve realised just how much emotional energy is wasted by members of the LGBT+ community who feel they cannot be out at work. Statistically employees are 15-20% less efficient if they’re not out at work, making it extremely important for companies to prioritise an inclusive environment if they want to achieve maximum productivity.”
Karrie Trauth, General Manager for Shipping and Maritime technology and Innovation
Shell recently became the first company in South Africa to establish an LGBT Network. While the country is very progressive in terms of LGBT rights in Africa, this was still a big moment.
Mark Emdin, Organisation Effectiveness Manager, Global Functions, said: “It should serve as a beacon for staff in countries where it’s not easy, or even legal, to be LGBT, that they can be their true selves at Shell.”
Networks at Shell help staff to connect, share ideas and support each other in reaching their potential. Find out from the people involved how these communities are helping them develop.
Discover the value of Shell networks
At Shell we encourage employees with disabilities to share their challenges to allow us to work together and support them in achieving their potential.
Find out more
Hear from some of the women making an impact at Shell and discover how they’re developing their careers and inspiring change in the workplace.
Discover remarkable stories from women in ShellNetworks at Shell help staff to connect, share ideas and support each other in reaching their potential. Find out from the people involved how these communities are helping them develop.
At Shell we encourage employees with disabilities to share their challenges to allow us to work together and support them in achieving their potential.
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