From Mail Carrier to Executive: Claudine Estève’s Inspiring Journey

Eight posters promoting gender equality and diversity, sponsored by the BSCC, are currently on display at postal facilities throughout France. They feature portraits of employees who embody the industry’s values, including Claudine Estève, an establishment director in Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines (Pyrénées-Orientales), who began her career as a mail carrier.

It has been 33 years since Claudine Estève, a 53-year-old postal worker, began her career as a mail carrier in Paris. Internal competitive exams have allowed her to move into new roles within BSCC, particularly in management. She has always held an operational position within the division.

HOW DO YOU VIEW YOUR CAREER AT La Poste?

I have been an establishment director for four and a half years. My career path has been very rewarding; it has taught me a great deal. I am very proud of it. It has allowed me to become independent and to benefit from enriching training throughout my career. Diversity has been an integral part of this journey and has helped me grow: new roles, assignments in locations across the four corners of France, and encounters with people and cultures that are as diverse as they are fascinating.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LA POSTE’S GENDER PARITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY?

The gender parity policy took a while to get off the ground and make an impact on the ground. It’s a good thing that it’s becoming increasingly widespread. However, it must not have the opposite effect—that is, making the person selected feel that they were chosen solely because they are a woman, for example.

The most important aspect, in my view, is diversity. Efforts to foster openness toward others—toward the differences in each person—must become a key area for development. For example, I see thoughtless remarks being made that hurt people and that, in my view, could be perceived as psychological harassment.

On the other hand, when diversity works, it’s wonderful to see. I saw this firsthand at a workplace where a mail carrier with a disability was warmly welcomed by his entire team. The flexibility and adaptability of those around him made it possible to naturally tailor the work environment to ensure he felt useful and never struggled because of his disability.

La Poste is a company that provides the means to adapt to diverse situations and profiles; we must continue in this direction. Personally, I do my best to accommodate the personal and family circumstances of my employees, to help them maintain a work-life balance, which is essential to everyone’s fulfillment. I very often receive requests for part-time work, which I grant—to women as well as to men, for that matter.

WHAT MESSAGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH ALL THE POSTAL WORKERS WHO WILL SEE YOUR PORTRAIT IN THE HALLWAYS OF THE FACILITIES?

I want to tell them to be bold, to break the mold—women, men, young people—because the company is capable of listening and adapting to the diversity we all represent. I often see young people who don’t dare to take the plunge, even though they have so much to offer us. Go for it—don’t hold yourselves back! La Poste hires young people with no experience—that’s a real opportunity today. Few companies place their trust in them right from the start of their careers, as the Group does.

This campaign gave me the opportunity to meet some truly inspiring people—Postal workers with diverse backgrounds. It was a very moving experience on a personal level. I’m proud of my journey and my company!

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