Accenture, Herbert Smith Freehills, Pinsent Masons, RBS (pictured), and Vodafone are among the 12 global organisations that have been named as 2017's Top Global Employers for lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) employees by LGBT equality charity Stonewall.
The list recognises organisations that create inclusive workplaces and advance equality for LGBT employees. It is compiled using submissions to the Global Workplace Equality Index (GWEI). This is a benchmarking tool that can be used by employers to help them create an inclusive workplace in their operating market.
Criteria that organisations are marked on include employee policy, training, staff engagement, leadership, monitoring, procurement, community engagement and understanding local context, global mobility, and additional in-country activity.
The listed organisations celebrated their achievement at a London-based awards ceremony on 3 July 2017, which was presented by foreign secretary Boris Johnson.
In no particular order, the Top Global Employers for 2017 are:
- Accenture
- Baker and McKenzie
- Barclays
- BP
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Herbert Smith Freehills
- HSBC
- Pinsent Masons
- RBS
- Simmons and Simmons
- Thomson Reuters
- Vodafone
Richard Foley, senior partner at Pinsent Masons, said: "Being genuinely valued and respected at work is empowering for the individual and the business. We want to create a working environment that values the power of diversity and allows all of our people to bring their whole selves to work. This is essential to establishing trust and rapport not only across our own workforce but with clients, suppliers and the wider community.
"As a global employer we recognise the complexity of different attitudes and cultures which our LGBT employees experience in the many countries in which we operate. We are committed to ensuring that our inclusive culture extends across the entire organisation. Working with Stonewall has enabled us to adapt our approach so it is respectful to different cultures but does not compromise our values."
Nicholas Crapp, chief audit executive and global LGBT executive sponsor at RBS, added: “To be recognised for a third consecutive year for our efforts in creating a more inclusive bank is something we should be proud of. It is paramount that we build on our recent success and continually ensure our policies and practices are fit for purpose and as inclusive as possible so that we create an environment that is a great place to work for all our staff, LGBT or otherwise, regardless of the country or jurisdiction in which we operate.
“We are determined to build a truly inclusive culture; one that lets everyone bring the best of themselves to work, every day. We want all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender colleagues and customers to feel welcome and accepted for who they are.”