DHL believes that a place where everyone belongs is also a place where everyone can be their authentic self. Pride Month is when the LGBTQ+ community comes together to celebrate the freedom to be themselves, or to protest the lack of that freedom.

To celebrate Pride Month, DHL is showcasing the story of DHL Supply Chain's Catarina Ribeiro who says that DHL's approach to diversity makes her feel at home.

Here, Catarina explains how she has found her place within DHL, a company of about 600,000 employees.

A commitment to celebrating pride

DHL Supply Chain believes that a place where everyone belongs is also a place where everyone can be their authentic self.

For Pride in the UK, DHL colleagues have been attending more events than ever and have a DHL Delivered with Pride branded truck that features within the parade at some locations.

The problem solver who’s finally comfortable

Catarina embraces DHL’s inclusiveness, having found a fulfilling career at a DHL Supply Chain warehouse, where acceptance is a reflection of the work culture and a source of pride.

Born and raised in Portugal, Catarina now lives in the UK, where she is a DHL Supply Chain Systems Super User at the East Midlands Gateway warehouse. This warehouse handles inbound and outbound shipments as well as returns for supermarkets such as Aldi and Tesco.

As a Super User, Catarina walks around the site with a laptop connected to the warehouse management system and helps colleagues by solving problems.

“If someone scans the wrong pallet, enters the wrong volume for a shipment or if the system produces an error, I join my colleagues to sort it out,” Catarina says.

“My goal is to keep operations running smoothly and escalate the most serious problems to IT,” comments Catarina.

Feeling included in her work environment

With Catarina's forthcoming wedding to her female partner, she says: “I have never felt that anyone at DHL has treated me differently...I belong here.”

Catarina explains that she has felt comfortable in her work environment since the first day.

Exceptional efforts towards diversity and inclusion

DHL's approach to diversity makes Catarina feel at home.

“It’s so nice to see that people are happy for me when I talk about having proposed to my fiancée,” Catarina comments. “DHL is the first place where I’m not afraid of any reactions, and that makes me feel comfortable. Our company stands out because of our exceptional efforts towards diversity and inclusion. I belong here.”

Working more efficiently in an inclusive work environment

Catarina finds that inclusiveness makes work more efficient.

“It makes you come in to work without the fear of being judged. When you’re happy, you do your job better,” says Catarina.

Having been raised in more conservative surroundings, Catarina says that such upbringings can make a member of the LGBTQ+ community shy about their private life.

“The journey isn't easy, but you should make decisions that are right for yourself. Be proud, live your own life and do what makes you happy,” concludes Catarina.

DHL is a company where all employees can belong

DHL's culture, values, and the way its colleagues work together as a team, ensures that everyone feels valued and rewarded for the contribution they bring.

Looking to join an environment where every individual can keep learning?

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