AT EQUANS FRANCE, WE WORK TO PROMOTE AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT
At Equans France, we firmly believe that diversity is an asset and that everyone should be able to thrive in a professional environment where their skills are recognized and valued. Céline Lejay, an HR manager at Equans France, shares her story of living with an invisible disability: hearing loss. Her candid and inspiring story illustrates our commitment to an inclusive workplace where everyone can find their place.
“My silence had taken on a life of its own in the open-plan office—enough to prompt a request for recognition of workers with disabilities. ”
Céline – Human Resources Manager
Disability and Employment: Céline’s Inspiring Journey at Equans France
Céline, a voice for those who aren't always heard
“My disability is silence,” Céline confides. After a long period of denial, she has learned to live with her hearing loss while continuing her career as part of our teams. Like more than 80% of people with disabilities, Céline lives with an invisible disability. She reminds us how essential it is to create an environment where everyone can express themselves, be understood, and be recognized first and foremost for their skills.
“ For a long time, I hid my disability out of fear of judgment and stigma. You tell yourself that you’ll be labeled with the word “disability.” You worry about being seen as less competent, or that hearing aids will be associated with a weakness. Yet that’s not the case at all. ”
CSR Commitment: How Equans France, in Partnership with Mission Handicap, Supports Its Employees
Managerial support: One of the drivers of inclusion
It was thanks to her management team that Céline was able to regain her confidence. Her manager, who was a good listener, encouraged her to get a hearing aid:
“ He had the courage to tell me, “Céline, please get a hearing aid.” I’m grateful to him because he had the guts to do that—which isn’t something all managers have—and he did it with kindness. ”
Thanks to the Mission Handicap program at Equans France (a Bouygues Energies & Services entity), Céline received personalized support and co-financing for her hearing aids. These initiatives are a concrete expression of our CSR policy and our commitment to helping every employee remain in the workforce under the best possible conditions.
“ Today, I am proud to be able to represent people with hearing loss and let them know that they are not alone. ”
Spotlight on “La Mission Handicap”
What advice would you give to managers and teams who work on a daily basis with people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible?
“ A disability is not a barrier. Just because an employee has a disability doesn’t mean they’ll do their job any less well or slow down the team. If they have a position that’s adapted to their needs, there’s no reason they shouldn’t do their job properly. We need to change the stereotypes surrounding disability. Everyone should be judged equally based on their skills. ”
