According to Rail Staff “ With the rail industry’s ongoing commitment to greater diversity and inclusion, it has been rewarding to help advance this mission by founding the first Sikh employee network: Sikhs in Rail – a dedicated community forum established to represent and support Sikh rail professionals across the UK. The network aims to advocate for the professional development of Sikh employees while ensuring their cultural and spiritual needs are respected. Across the construction and engineering industries, many Sikhs face workplace challenges that conflict with their religious practices. Most notably, this involves mandatory hard helmet policies, often enforced without adequate awareness of the legal exemptions for turban-wearing Sikhs.
For Sikhs, the turban is a royal insignia of the faith – a constant reminder of God’s presence and a symbol of unique identity, sovereignty, and distinction. Practically, it allows a Sikh to be recognised in times of need, aligning with the core Sikh principle of selfless service to humanity. It is not merely a garment, but a spiritual uniform that must be treated with the highest respect.
This belief is recognised in UK law. Sections 11 and 12 of the Employment Act 1989, amended by Section 6 of the Deregulation Act 2015, legally exempt turban-wearing Sikhs from any requirement to wear helmets. Yet, it can be disheartening for Sikh employees to have to continually defend or explain this right in professional settings. Raising awareness of Sikh practices – and the laws protecting them – is essential. Sikhs in Rail is committed to helping rail businesses and their employees better understand Sikhism, and to support inclusive practices that honour the faith of Sikh colleagues.
Mandeep Singh, global marketing manager, rail at TUV Rheinland, shares: “For decades Sikhs have played an active role in railways, but their stories and experiences, both positive and negative, needed the stage and space to shine. As co-chair, I am excited about the work that Sikhs in Rail has already achieved, and will continue to do so.” Since its launch, Sikhs in Rail has worked to raise awareness of Sikh identity through educational tours, presentations, and virtual ‘lunch and learn’ sessions. Its inaugural event brought colleagues together for a guided tour of one of East London’s largest Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), offering a safe space for attendees to ask questions about the religion, its places of worship, and its practices.
The day held special significance as all participants took part in the Ardaas and Hukamnama to officially launch the Sikhs in Rail network. Ardaas is a prayer in which Sikhs seek blessings and support from Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal Guru of the Sikh faith. The Hukamnama is a hymn chosen from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, delivered after the Ardaas as divine guidance. This allowed everyone present to witness and take part in a sacred tradition observed before any major life event in Sikhism.
The event concluded with a communal meal in the Gurdwara’s langar (free kitchen), where attendees learned about seva – the Sikh principle of selfless service – and how free meals are shared across all Sikh temples worldwide.
Sarabjeet Kaur, operational delivery lead at Transport for London (TfL) reflected: “It was a joy to share the beauty and values of Sikhi with so many colleagues, and then finishing up with langar – a shared meal that reflects the Sikh values of equality and community. Moments like these not only deepen understanding but also strengthen the bonds between our teams across TfL and with Sikhs in Rail.” Following this, Sikhs in Rail has hosted a variety of virtual sessions in collaboration with Sikh charities and organisations, exploring the key principles of the faith. A recent session focused on female empowerment and how Sikhism has long championed gender equality. In contrast to patriarchal traditions that often restrict women’s roles, Sikhism – since its inception – has promoted the spiritual and social equality of women.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, was a revolutionary figure in advocating for women’s rights, rejecting societal norms that limited their roles. The Sikh faith not only supports gender equality but actively empowers women in worship, leadership, and service – placing their dignity and rights at the centre of both spiritual and societal progress.
This session was held after the devastating news of a racially-motivated rape of a Sikh woman in Oldbury. The attack highlighted the urgent need to provide a safe and supportive space for all women. Sikhs in Rail was honoured to spotlight the powerful legacy of Sikh women warriors and leaders in history. Preet Kaur Durhailay, roadworks officer at TfL, commented: “I was particularly intrigued to hear about how Sikh women have been motivated by their faith to contribute in the modern age by taking leadership roles and navigating through centuries-old cultural obstacles. The talk made me realise that as women in this modern world, our faith gives us the tools and confidence to go forth and do great things without letting anything hold us back!” Sikhs in Rail is now preparing for its first Bandi Chor Divas (Sikh Diwali) event. This celebration will delve into the story behind the festival, which teaches the importance of justice and liberation. The event will also highlight Sikhism’s long-standing encouragement of political involvement and activism.
Special guests will include an esteemed panel of Sikh Members of Parliament: Tan Dhesi, the first turban-wearing Sikh MP in the UK; Preet Gill, the first female Sikh MP; and Jas Athwal, MP for Ilford South. Their presence underscores the growing representation of the Sikh community in UK politics
Sikhs in Rail looks forward to continuing to build connections across industries with individuals and organisations that are championing Sikh identity and values. The network is committed to engaging with other faith-based networks and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) communities to strengthen the rail industry’s collective commitment to inclusivity.
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