Stonewall announce 100 most LGBT inclusive employers in UK 2019
The diversity specialist charity Stonewall have announced their 2019 100 most inclusive employers in the UK, and international law firm Pinsent Masons have taken top spot.
The Top 100 is the UK’s leading list ranking employers from across public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are and is intensely competitive – with this year being the highest number of entrants on record.
This year saw a steady rise in Universities named as inclusive employers, with 19 organisations working in the higher education sector making it entire the entire 100 listings.
Pinsent Masons have shown a range of inclusive policies and practices for lesbian, gay and bi staff, and has introduced specific trans-inclusive staff training to create a welcoming environment for trans colleagues, clients and visitors. They have also actively supported the campaign for marriage equality in Northern Ireland and help build inclusive learning environments for young people.
Richard Foley, Senior Partner, Pinsent Masons, said: “This is a very special achievement for us. It isn’t about reaching the top spot; it’s about what the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index stands for and what everyone engaged in it is working so hard to accomplish. Pinsent Masons was the first law firm to be ranked in the Index in 2008. Today the legal sector is represented by over 16 firms. Our ranking recognises that like many other organisations we are championing LGBT+ inclusion in everything that we do. Pinsent Masons has created an inclusive workplace that enables everyone to be themselves; from our recruitment processes through to our engagement with clients.
“We have a responsibility to champion change in the wider community. Supporting initiatives such as the campaign for marriage equality in Northern Ireland play an important role in prompting progress on the equality issues that we believe must be addressed. We are also confident that our ongoing work with our Family Support Network and work with our school partners will help create safe and inclusive learning environments to ensure that future generations are guaranteed a discrimination-free start in life.
“Many congratulations to all those who achieved a ranking in the Index. Working together we are all driving real change in the workplace and thereby ensuring that business works better for people.”
In compiling the Top 100, Stonewall collects more than 92,000 anonymous responses from employees on their experience of the UK’s workplace culture and diversity. An overwhelming 93 per cent of non-LGBT employees who responded to the survey say they understand why their employer is committed to LGBT equality.
In 2018, Stonewall released research that showed more than a third of LGBT staff (35%) have hidden they are LGBT at work and almost one in five LGBT employees (18%) have been the target of negative comments from colleagues because of their identity.
Below is the top 16 employers, and the link below will bring you to the official top 100 list.
Stonewall’s top 100 LGBT inclusive employers in the UK.
This year saw a steady rise in Universities named as inclusive employers, with 19 organisations working in the higher education sector making it entire the entire 100 listings.