Law firm Pinsent Masons (pictured), computer equipment organisation Fujitsu, The British Army, telecommunications business Sky UK and the University of South Wales are among the organisations recognised on 2019's Top 100 Employers list, compiled by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) awareness charity Stonewall.
The annual list rates UK employers from across the public, private and third sectors on how LGBT inclusive they are. To feature on the list, organisations have to demonstrate expertise in 10 different areas of employment policy and practice, including networking groups, senior leadership, procurement and how well it has engaged with the LGBT community.
To compile the list, Stonewall uses submissions to its Workplace Equality Index that addresses the required 10 employment policy and practice areas. The index is a benchmarking tool that employers can use to assess their achievements and progress on LGBT equality in the workplace.
Other organisations that feature on 2019's list include telecommunications business Vodafone, law firm Allen and Overy, financial services organisation Virgin Money, Sheffield City Council, Sussex Police and the Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Stonewall additionally published a 2019 list for the UK's top transgender inclusive employers, featuring those that that have gone over and above to make transgender employees feel accepted. Law firm Baker McKenzie, Cardiff University and the Welsh Government are among the businesses recognised on this list.
Darren Towers, executive director at Stonewall, said: "LGBT inclusive employers play a crucial role in changing society by using their power and influence to proudly support LGBT people in their organisations.
"Our number one employer of 2019, Pinsent Masons, is leading the way championing lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality in the workplace. [It knows] that helping staff feel that they can bring their full selves to work doesn’t just make a huge difference to individual team members, it makes real business sense too. [The organisation is] a shining example for others to follow on how to ensure all staff feel empowered and supported.
"Our recent research revealed that more than a third of LGBT staff have hidden who they are at work for fear of discrimination. Whether as senior leaders, managers or colleagues, we all have a part to play in making sure that our workplaces and communities are places that accept and support LGBT people, without exception."
The top 10 LGBT inclusive employers for 2019 are:
- Pinsent Masons
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
- Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
- MI5
- National Assembly for Wales - joint fifth place
- Newcastle City Council - joint fifth place
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Welsh Government
- Citi
- Baker McKenzie
The top transgender inclusive employers for 2019 are:
- Baker McKenzie
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
- Cardiff University
- Citi
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- National Assembly for Wales
- Newcastle City Council
- Pinsent Masons
- Skills Development Scotland
- St Mungo's
- Swansea University
- The University of Sheffield
- Victim Support
- Welsh Government
Richard Foley, senior partner at 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 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."
Ben O’Reilly, head of DTS UK and Ireland at Fujitsu and executive sponsor of its LGBT plus network, Shine, added: “It’s an honour to be named in Stonewall’s 2019 Top Employer List for LGBT inclusion. We want to ensure that Fujitsu is a place where everyone can thrive. In recent years, we have focused on raising awareness of LGBT issues and shaping more inclusive processes, especially in recruitment and procurement. Our Shine LGBT network, an internal inclusive group, open to all employees, has been pivotal in shaping and implementing a strategy to enable us to create this environment.”
