Stonewall have released their annual review of LGBTQ-inclusive employers in the UK.
The charity has once again marked organisations on a range of policies that affect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees in the workplace, as well as the measure they’ve introduced to offer a more inclusive working environment.
What’s more, for the first time ever Stonewall has marked employers specifically on trans inclusivity.
So who has topped the 2018 list?
The National Assembly for Wales has taken the number one spot, having introduced gender-neutral facilities across the organisation and holding inclusive training and policies that improve the workplace for trans staff.
“We are truly honoured to be recognised by Stonewall as the leading employer for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people,” said Elin Jones AM, Llywydd of the National Assembly for Wales.
“The National Assembly has diversity and inclusion at the very heart of its role representing the people of Wales.
© Martin via Flickr
Elin added: “We are proud to support our LGBT staff network and continue to work to create an inclusive culture – not only for the people who work here but for the people we represent across all Wales’ diverse communities.
“As Wales’ parliament, it is right that we should lead by example to demonstrate what can be achieved with the right attitudes, leadership and determination.
“This is not only a great day for the Assembly, it’s also good news for staff in the many other Welsh organisations represented in the top 100 employers. They demonstrate people in Wales clearly understand the value of inclusive policy and service delivery and I congratulate them all.”
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Chief Executive, said: “At a time when LGBT people are subject to profound discrimination and abuse, both in and out of the workplace, our LGBT-inclusive employers are a welcome beacon of hope that a positive future is possible.
“The National Assembly for Wales is a trailblazer for equality, especially for trans equality, and we’d like other organisations to look at the straightforward, positive actions they have taken and follow the example they have set.
“Creating a workplace environment that accepts everyone isn’t just the right thing to do, it makes good business sense. When staff feel comfortable, happy and understood they will, of course, perform much better than if they’re having to hide who they are, or if they’re scared to go to work for fear of abuse.
“All leaders, managers – all of us as colleagues – can stand up for LGBT people in the workplace and play a part. We can all play a part in changing our workplaces and our communities so that all LGBT people are accepted without exception.”
Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list is compiled from submissions to the Workplace Equality Index, and includes more than 92,000 anonymous responses from employees via a survey.
This year saw more than 430 organisations take part in the Index, while 91% of non-LGBTQ employees who responded to the survey say they understand why their employer is committed to LGBTQ equality.
Stonewall’s top LGBTQ-inclusive employers for 2018 are as follows:
Top 10 LGBT-inclusive Employers:
1. National Assembly for Wales
2. Pinsent Masons
3. Gentoo
4. Cheshire Fire & Rescue
5. Lloyds Banking Group
6. Baker McKenzie
7. Berwin Leighton Paisner
8. Citi
9. Newcastle City Council
10. Victim Support
Top trans-inclusive employers (unranked):
Baker McKenzie
Berwin Leighton Paisner
Cardiff University
Gentoo
Lloyds Banking Group
National Assembly for Wales
Pinsent Masons LLP
Swansea University
The University of Manchester
Victim Support
Your Homes Newcastle
Top performing organisations in each sector are:
Banking and Finance: Lloyds Banking Group (5)
Defence and Security: Royal Navy and Royal Marines (32)
Education: Cardiff University (14)
Emergency Services: Nottinghamshire Police Headquarters (39)
Government: National Assembly for Wales (1)
Health and Social Care: North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust (46)
Housing: Gentoo (3)
Insurance: Aviva (98)
Legal: Pinsent Masons (2)
Leisure and Arts: Tate (67)
Local Government: Newcastle City Council (9)
Manufacturing: GSK (21)
Media: Sky (29)
Professional Services: PwC (33)
Retail: The Co-operative Group (66)
Technology: Vodafone (42)
Third Sector: Victim Support (10)
Individual award winners:
Lesbian Role Model of the Year* was awarded to Natasha Franklin, Unit Manager Health Protection, Bury Council
Gay Role Model of the Year* was awarded to Krishna Omkar, Associate, Slaughter and May
Bi Role Model of the Year* was awarded to Clare Eastburn, Director, Global Head of Operational Regulatory Change, Citi
Trans Role Model of the Year* was awarded to Jack Jackson, Team Leader for Mental Wellbeing and Counselling, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Senior Champion of the Year* was awarded to Narind Singh, Partner, Clifford Chance
Ally of the Year* was awarded to Andy Holmes, Supervising Officer, HMP Stafford, Ministry of Justice
LGBT employee Network Group of the Year was awarded to Vodafone LGBT+ Friends Network
To find out the full list of Stonewall’s Top 100 LGBT-inclusive Employers, click here.
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