Jo-Ann: “Gender Reassignment Leave Shows Rabobank Recognizes People’s Needs”
- Jo-Ann van den HeuvelAnalist external fraud team monitoring & request
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Jo-Ann joined Rabobank in 1998 to gain experience in the banking sector. Fast-forward 28 years, and this seasoned expert is still going strong, having worked her way up to the Financial Economic Crime division, where she became a skilled analyst. In 2023, she reached a milestone in her personal growth when she decided to change her gender to the woman she’d always felt she was. “I look different and go by a different name, but my role, expertise and coworkers haven’t changed.”
In her role at Financial Economic Crime (FEC), Jo-Ann processes official information requests sent by law enforcement agencies such as the police, tax authorities or courts for criminal investigations. “We figure out what they need, locate the correct information and ensure they receive it discreetly.” Some of the cases she handles make headlines. “When you’re working behind the scenes, it’s fantastic to see how you’ve contributed to something bigger.”
Now that everyone here knows, I can just be myself."
Brush it Off and Carry On
If Jo-Ann feels at home at Rabobank, she can’t say the same for her own body. “I’d known I was a woman for years, but I brushed it off and treated it like a phase. Having everything else like my career and family worked out, I thought I should live my life as a man as best as I could. But something had to give. At one point, I could no longer ignore those feelings, nor did I want to. Things were going great career-wise, but having to hide a part of yourself takes its toll eventually. It eats you up.”
Reaching Out
After months of being her true self at home but presenting as a man during meetings, Jo-Ann decided to reach out to her supervisor. It was time to be her true self. “I was completely honest and confided in her about all of my struggles. The first thing she said was: ‘Go for it. Go and discover who you truly are.’ Those words changed Jo-Ann’s perspective. “She normalized rather than moralized the situation. I immediately felt like I was in a safe space, like I wasn’t alone.”
A Nerve-wracking Teams Meeting
In September 2023, Jo-Ann felt ready to share the news about her transition with her team. “I came out during a Teams meeting. I knew I’d be a nervous wreck, so I’d written down what I wanted to say, read it out and ended it on a photo of me as a woman. But it wasn’t the coming-out that worried me – it was how my team would react. What would they say, what would they think? Will this make things awkward? Will they look at me differently? Will I still be taken seriously?”
Coming to the Office as Herself
Jo-Ann’s concerns turned out to be unfounded. “People were kind and truly understood. Many of them were emotional and were clearly moved by what I’d said. What touched me personally were the messages I received afterwards: ‘Gosh, what a struggle this must’ve been for you.’ Too right. And it had been going on for years. But now that it’s out in the open, I feel comfortable being myself. After spending so long presenting as a man, it’s a remarkable feeling. Jo-Ann’s ready to come to the office – no hiding, no justifications.”
My Gender
Jo-Ann’s coming out inspired her to support other trans people at the bank, so she set up the Rabo My Gender network with a coworker. “It’s part of the Rabo Rainbow community aimed at transgender, intersex and non-binary coworkers as well as coworkers whose child or parent is transitioning. It’s a place where we can meet.” The network organizes chats and provides practical support with things like name changes in company systems. “We also share our thoughts on the bank’s inclusion policy, discuss sensitive issues such as gender-neutral bathrooms, and share tips that people can use at home or at work.”
Support from Rabobank’s Gender Reassignment Leave
“Diversity and inclusion are part of everyday life here. We embrace a whole range of cultures, backgrounds, ages, orientations and genders,” says Jo-Ann.
Rabobank recently introduced gender reassignment leave, offering 24 weeks of flexible leave over a ten-year period. “I used to have to schedule medical appointments outside of office hours in most cases. That became more difficult over time. This new leave shows Rabobank recognizes your needs. It’s more than 24 weeks. It’s about the bank listening and taking action.”
Being Wholly, Truly Yourself
Jo-Ann explains what she hopes people will take away from her story. “Nobody is going to judge you, so don’t be afraid. We’re all equal. You won’t miss out or be penalized for being different. I’ve experienced it myself: in people’s reactions, in my supervisor’s accommodating approach, in the support from my coworkers. Don’t put yourself into a box, because you can be completely authentic here.”