During Pride Month, we’re highlighting our coworkers who are members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Ace and Amy both work in the company’s Damage Recovery Unit (DRU) and also happen to be a couple outside of the office. Keep reading to find out about Ace’s experience coming out as transgender at work.
How did you two meet?
Amy: We met at Walmart where we both worked for a time. We were just friends when we started working together at Enterprise. We’ve now been a couple for six years.
What initially attracted you to a career at Enterprise?
Amy: Once Ace started working for Enterprise, he talked about how great of an employer Enterprise was, which made me want to apply too!
What has surprised you most about working at Enterprise?
Amy: I’ve worked places where management doesn’t say hi to you or know your name. In our DRU – management knows everyone.
Ace: They are accepting. I don’t feel like I’ve ever been judged or singled out for who I am.
I started my medical transition in February, and legally changed my name. I also changed my gender marker with the DMV, and changed my gender identifier in our internal employee database when that became an option. Most of my friends had known for years that I identified as male.
At Enterprise, no one has made a big deal about my transition. My manager didn’t send out a mass email, he just went to a manager meeting and told everyone at once. Everyone is respectful and uses the right pronouns when referring to me. It all flowed so easily.
How does Enterprise support LGBTQ+ employees and allies?
Amy: The environment at the DRU is that we’re one big family and we treat each other with respect.
Ace: I’ve appreciated that Enterprise participates in local Pride events. And it is really cool that the person who runs the event is an ally. She’s straight with a husband and a child. And Enterprise attendees aren’t just employees – it’s friends, allies and families.
Does Enterprise embody an inclusive work environment? What does that look, sound and feel like?
Ace: Yes! They treat everyone the same regardless of background, color, sexual and/or gender orientation. They embrace and celebrate everyone equally. We have had the opportunity to celebrate Pride in Denver with Enterprise the last two years, and recently there was acknowledgement and celebration of Juneteenth.
What has it been like to work for Enterprise during the time of COVID-19?
Ace: Honestly, we had the pleasure of working from home prior to COVID-19, so that wasn’t new to us. What is new are the many business changes we are making as we adapt for the current needs within the DRU. Management has been good at communicating those changes as soon as possible.
Amy: Management has been very encouraging, and it has really brought out how well we all work as a team.
How have your perceptions of Enterprise changed since COVID-19?
Ace: I don’t think they have changed. I admit when this all first started, I really didn’t think this would affect Enterprise as much as it did. It’s been sad to see some of our co-workers on furlough, but I know that Enterprise did that as a last resort, and I know it wasn’t their first choice. As business picks back up I hope to see many of those employees brought back to work.
Amy: I believe Enterprise has handled the situation as smooth as possible and with as much transparency as possible.
What didn’t we ask that you’d like us to know?
Ace: I’ve been in trans support groups where people don’t always know which employers are a safe haven. You may be hired, but your employer won’t necessarily provide a safe environment. I feel like I have that at Enterprise, and I hope by sharing our story, others will know it too.
