I am a 36-year old female who lives in NYC. A gay male friend (who is 49-years old) has always been interested in the transportation industry. He thought about becoming a truck driver and a conductor for the subway. He was never really excited about those opportunities, however. About two months ago, I saw a listing for an Amtrak Conductor (trainee) job opportunity. I emailed it to him. I was surprised to see how enthusiastic he was. He applied and was soon contacted by Amtrak. He took an online test and passed. Then, he took a "strength test" and passed that as well. He is looking forward to the next step.
Recently, I spoke to a few people at my office about this. They told me that I was crazy to have suggested this to him. They said that while it may be different for other jobs, many (but not all) conductors tend to be very conservative and against gays. (I am not saying this to offend any conductors here who feel differently.) Now, I am almost in a panic. If he was offered the job and encountered a hostile work environment, he would be devastated, even if these sentiments were unspoken or revealed in private without his knowing. Believe me, he would sense it.
I don't want this to happen to my friend. To be honest, I'm at a loss and don't know what to do now. I understand that this is an Amtrak website. I know that most people won't want to openly say that my fears are correct, but I do want to hear from people who are willing to "tell it like it is." On a few occasions, my friend has asked me if he should move forward in the process. I am on the verge of telling him something like, "I've heard the hours are way too long. We probably wouldn't have much time to hang out anymore. Maybe you should look for something else." We're very close, and he'd probably listen.
I've done a LOT of research over the past week. I know that the company has an excellent philosophy when it comes to diversity and inclusion, and that Amtrak has gay employees. But that's just "on paper." What is the reality of what his experience would be like on a "day-to-day" basis? What should I do??
Recently, I spoke to a few people at my office about this. They told me that I was crazy to have suggested this to him. They said that while it may be different for other jobs, many (but not all) conductors tend to be very conservative and against gays. (I am not saying this to offend any conductors here who feel differently.) Now, I am almost in a panic. If he was offered the job and encountered a hostile work environment, he would be devastated, even if these sentiments were unspoken or revealed in private without his knowing. Believe me, he would sense it.
I don't want this to happen to my friend. To be honest, I'm at a loss and don't know what to do now. I understand that this is an Amtrak website. I know that most people won't want to openly say that my fears are correct, but I do want to hear from people who are willing to "tell it like it is." On a few occasions, my friend has asked me if he should move forward in the process. I am on the verge of telling him something like, "I've heard the hours are way too long. We probably wouldn't have much time to hang out anymore. Maybe you should look for something else." We're very close, and he'd probably listen.
I've done a LOT of research over the past week. I know that the company has an excellent philosophy when it comes to diversity and inclusion, and that Amtrak has gay employees. But that's just "on paper." What is the reality of what his experience would be like on a "day-to-day" basis? What should I do??
