Breaking the bias: Women in motoring

For this year’s International Women’s Day, we speak to three women within the NRMA’s Motoring and Membership business who are changing the way gender is viewed in the industry.

Tea and biscuits, movies and popcorn, ice cream and summer days – some things have always gone hand in hand. For too long, though, ‘motoring’ and ‘men’ had been connected in this way, creating a stigma for women in the industry and adding to an already pervasive bias in workplaces.

This International Women’s Day we celebrate equality and how it can be seen in our people and actions every day by speaking to three women within the NRMA’s Motoring and Membership business who, despite filling vastly different roles, are all breaking the gender bias in the motoring industry.

Emma Harrington (pictured centre at top of story) leads the Motoring and Membership business, following a promotion from Chief Customer Officer in 2020. Disturbed by the prevalence of gender bias in the motoring industry – something she hadn’t experienced strongly in a previous 15-year tenure in the digital tech field – Emma set about creating change.

“Coming into the media and motoring industries, there was a stark contrast [in gender bias] for me,” Emma recounts.

“Gender bias has impacted me more the more senior I’ve become. I can sometimes be the only female in the room.

“I have a strong belief system when it comes to equality. I had great role models myself and I aspire to be one for my son and my daughter, and also for the people within our Motoring and Membership business. I want to show what female leadership can look like.”

When asked what breaking the bias in the workplace looks like, Emma has a clear approach:

“It’s about hiring people and building teams that are reflective of the diversity of gender that exists – not just male and female gender identities.

Equality is about innovation, creativity, and employees who feel safe bringing their authentic selves to work no matter how they identify."

While Emma’s exposure to workplace gender biases increased after joining the motoring industry, some women within the NRMA unfortunately knew of it long before.

Preeti Sood (pictured right at top of story) works as a technology business partner within Motoring and Membership, a role that’s seen her manage some of the largest projects the NRMA has undertaken in recent years.

After leaving a role in 2010 due to her then-employer’s lack of compromise while Preeti balanced a professional life and motherhood, she developed a keen eye for recognising gender biases in the workplace and an appreciation for businesses that promote equality.

“I was made to feel like I must pay the price for enjoying my motherhood,” Preeti recalls of her previous role.

“I was told I can’t expect the same appraisal rating and increments as my male colleagues because I was working part-time so I could spend time with my two-year-old daughter.”

While disenfranchised among her male peers, Preeti pushed forward, eventually finding herself at the NRMA and with a strong impression the tides have begun turning.

“I feel the shift is happening. Fast-forward 11 years to today and I lead a high-performing team composed of eighty-three per cent women.

“Change is something we need to make by taking one small step at a time, providing learning, growth and leadership opportunities without any bias – conscious or unconscious.

There is always a best person for a job irrespective of their gender and that needs to be the key consideration.”

Nardia Baskerville (pictured left at top of story) never really thought about gender bias in the motoring industry until she noticed how much she was challenging it by becoming one of the NRMA’s first female tow truck drivers roughly 15 months ago.

“I’d driven trucks before but I’d always wanted to drive a tow truck,” Nardia says.

“I believed [the NRMA] would be the right company for a woman wanting to get into a motoring role. I knew the business was all about equality and it wants [women] to move into that area. It’s really good, because that attitude has given me this opportunity, which I’d wanted for a long time.”

Simon Denic, manager of the NRMA's roadside assistance operations, shares the same values when it comes to equality in hiring. Overseeing the department when Nardia was hired, Simon believes in not only the importance of equality as a social issue, but also how businesses with diversity set themselves up to thrive.

"Getting a team together with differing backgrounds and genders creates a really great mix of insights and thinking. This diversity can make for a really high-performing environment," Simon explains.

"[Equality]'s about shifting from a subconscious state to a conscious one to build awareness around gender diversity and inclusion, then role-modelling the environment we need to be in.”

Nardia, in one of the most traditionally male-dominated roles in all of motoring, reflects on how being a female tow truck driver has not only challenged others in the industry, but also affected the Members she aims to serve.

“[The NRMA] really embraced my choice of being a female in a male-dominated field. They’ve always told me that if there’s any problems then don’t hesitate to ring.

“Members too – they’ve been great. We’ll speak on the phone and they’ll tell me they’re after a tow truck driver and I’ll say, “I am the tow truck driver”. They’re actually quite surprised when a female turns up and does the job.

“A lot of [Members], when they see me, think very highly of the NRMA for taking on women in these male-dominated roles. Also, a lot of women, when I arrive, are more relaxed – they’re relieved to be dealing with another woman.

“I think the NRMA having females in this field, it makes other companies realise there are women out there that want to work in these traditionally ‘male roles’.
Further to this, Nardia believe the example has been set by her employer for more businesses and industries to follow.

“Other businesses can learn from the NRMA. I know that from dealing with car dealerships and mechanics.