Feeling safe to be yourself at work matters

This Pride Month, we’re sharing stories from our people about inclusion, respect and psychological safety at work.

One of those stories comes from Edward Dragos, who joined Sodexo in 2022.

Edward says one of the things that helped him feel comfortable early on was seeing open conversations happening on site around diversity and inclusion. A toolbox talk in his first few weeks changed the way he viewed the FIFO industry.

“It quickly changes the dynamic from obliged proximity to teammates,” he says.

For our teams working in villages and remote operations, trust matters. People work long swings away from home, often in high-pressure environments. Feeling respected and included can make a real difference to morale, teamwork and day-to-day interactions on site.

Psychological safety isn’t about having all the right words. It’s about creating a workplace where people feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions, sharing ideas and being treated with respect.

Edward also talks about the importance of simple things:

• Listening properly
• Being mindful with language
• Asking questions respectfully
• Looking out for your teammates

These are small actions, but they help build stronger teams and better workplaces for everyone.

Thanks to Edward for sharing his story, and to all our teams who continue to create welcoming and respectful environments across our sites every day.