Becoming Trinetri Tyagi - A journey of courage and finding home
Inclusion
Sheetal Bathija has been a pivotal force in fostering a culture of inclusion at NatWest and is currently the culture lead for International Hubs. Over her impressive 19-year tenure with the organisation, she has excelled in a variety of roles, demonstrating her adaptability and commitment to NatWest's purpose and ambition. Most recently, she completed her two year long stint as the sponsor for the Disability Smart initiative in India, where she has played a crucial part in creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities within the organisation. Read on as she reflects on the significant strides made within this vital area.
How it all began
Sheetal recounts her time as the Disability Smart Workstream sponsor, “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make a difference alongside an amazing employee-led network and dedicated co-leads. Every step towards inclusion adds value to our colleagues, our organisation, and society as a whole. The time I spent with my colleagues with disabilities has been invaluable.”
“The year before I took over as the Employee led Network (ELN) sponsor was one where my own disability had become visible to others. I have an autoimmune disorder and the transition to using a walking stick prompted me to make necessary adjustments in my daily life. Thanks to flexible working arrangements and the support from colleagues, I found motivation to engage with the ELN as a participant. I was welcomed into the core group by the previous sponsor, and I vividly remember helping to organise Disability Smart Week under his leadership. When the opportunity to lead came up, I didn’t hesitate.”
Embracing challenges and learning
“I realised that confronting my own biases was crucial. It wasn't easy to acknowledge them and keep them constantly in mind when working on a very challenging agenda. I learnt that this is not a single person agenda and that the ELN was definitely not alone in moving the mantle ahead. The entire organisation was working side-by-side with us. Whether it was the managers who were ensuring we hired more persons with disabilities or senior management who took time to interact with them or the hundreds of volunteers who were ready to go the extra mile to raise the bar. I remain grateful to all those who supported the agenda.”
Fostering a supportive environment
Creating a safe space for colleagues to express their needs and feel heard is at the heart of Sheetal’s mission. “We achieved much together, both tangible and cultural. Our efforts in hiring more individuals with disabilities encouraged many to declare their disabilities openly. A belief that I hold very close to heart is that you have to give respect to get respect. As organisations strive to become better at what they do, their culture is what holds them together on the path to success. Giving each other due respect, being inclusive - where everyone can bring their best self to work - and building on our strengths together is key for us.”
Initiatives that make a difference
Sheetal highlights the success of various initiatives, “We ran the Enable Fest, which educated employees on NatWest’s accessibility and inclusion efforts. The event also promoted understanding around disability disclosure and charitable support for disability inclusion. Moreover, the launch of mentoring programmes, increased awareness through events, and cross-level engagement exemplified the proactive steps taken to drive inclusion.”
Acknowledging progress and future goals
“It was a great honour for us when NatWest received the Helen Keller award from the National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP) for jury appreciation.”
When discussing the milestones she had set as the Disability Smart Workstream sponsor, Sheetal reflects, “There is always more to be done. While I don’t have all the answers, we prioritised listening to our colleagues with disabilities. Whether it was networking opportunities, skill-building, role changes or help with benefits or navigating policies, we aimed to create avenues for them to voice their needs. Staying connected and learning from industry peers has been essential in providing our colleagues with the best in class experience of working at NatWest.”
Inclusion in Action: Here’s to progress and possibilities!
Reflecting on the past two years, Sheetal says, “I’m filled with pride, there was so much action in the two years, although more can always be done, but every step contributes to our inclusive journey.”
She remains optimistic about the future of the Disability Smart initiative at NatWest, “Every effort made towards inclusion matters, and with continued dedication and collaboration, the organisation is well on its way to becoming a more inclusive workplace for all. The journey towards full inclusion will persist, but with every step taken, NatWest is committed to championing the rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”
How we’ll support you
Find out more about some of the ways how we’re helping those with disability build a great career with us!
Inclusion
