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Dial-a-Cab and Diversity Awareness |
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Dial-a-Cab Trainer,
Christina Conn, has been busy recently training all members
of staff, including Board Members, in the art of Diversity
Awareness - a scheme that aims to promote equality and
diversity while providing an inclusive and supportive
environment for all within the workplace. Christina told Call Sign: "Everyone in Dial-a-Cab House is participating in these training sessions, designed to help people become aware of how they can better interact with each other and towards clients as well. During the three, two-hour segments, we discuss the many ways of improving communication between each other through mutual respect and understanding, treating each individual as an equal and understanding the contribution each one makes to the company." She continued: "We discuss the seven laws of discrimination, including sex, race, age, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. We talk about each law in detail, giving examples through role-play and on screen displays via pc monitors. We also encourage group members to relate their own experiences and how they dealt with a particular incident. We use newspapers, magazines and draw on items in the media to spread the message. Finally, there’s a light-hearted quiz to ensure everybody has understood what they have learned!" Everyone participating in the Diversity Awareness scheme receives a certificate to acknowledge their success in it. Nuala and Val, from Drivers Services, are proudly shown displaying their certificates on this issue’s front cover. Call Sign asked Christina for specific examples of topics covered and was given a comprehensive list of what you can do or not do, such as the effects of bullying, harassment, personal insults and |
 degrading or humiliating comments or behaviour. The list is almost endless and it is possible to see that offence could easily be caused through a moment’s lack of thought. Christina added that the strength of personal relationships has a bearing on things and also the fact that people having a conversation in private, out of public earshot and perhaps enjoying a joke or relating an incident, could be acceptable. She said: "The courses are tailored to the specific needs of staff members. For example, there’s Managing Diversity for line managers, where bullying, harassment or other issues can be handled in an appropriate manner. The other segment is for members of staff who have problems, where we discuss ways of confronting these issues on a one-to-one basis, or how to approach their line manager who can deal with the matter as required." Ending, Christina added: "Even when there is a reluctance to report issues, everyone is made aware of the procedures to follow, to resolve issues amicably and diplomatically. It is not a legal requirement to train staff in Diversity Awareness, but it protects the company and has been found to be beneficial for members of staff." © Call Sign Magazine MM8 |
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Wide red line: Buckingham Palace Road set down… |
| The PCO have
advised Call Sign about a wide red line that has
been introduced in the bus stop cage in Buckingham Palace Road
immediately to the south of the junction with Terminus Place at
Victoria. Taxi (and private hire) drivers are reminded that the restrictions are similar to those that are in place on the wide red line at the bus stop in nearby Wilton Road. Taxis and private hire vehicles - including those showing the pre-booked only signs - are not allowed to stop or pick up or set down passengers where the wide red line is marked. Setting down or picking up may take place further down Buckingham Palace Road to the south of the wide red line. Other sites where wide red line restrictions are in force or likely to be introduced are on Euston Road eastbound in front of Kings Cross Station and Bishopsgate northbound outside Liverpool Street Station. Facilities at Kings Cross are described in PCO Notice 09/08 issued in April 2008. |
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