Stonewall reveals UK’s ‘most LGBT-inclusive’ employers

Lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) equality charity Stonewall has revealed 2020’s top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers in the UK. According to Stonewall, education, legal and government organisations are ‘the most LGBT-inclusive’. Newcastle City Council leads in the top 100, followed by housing association Gentoo Group (2nd), and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (3rd)

Stonewall’s Top 100 is the UK’s leading list ranking employers from public, private and third sectors, depending on how inclusive their workplaces are. The 2020 list has been the ‘most competitive’ to date, with more than 503 organisations vying for a place in the top 100 this year, confirmed the charity.

According to Stonewall’s Executive Director Sanjay Sood-Smith, the more organisations that stand up for equality, the sooner we will live in a world where all LGBT people are accepted ‘without exception’. “Whether you’re a global corporation or a local business, you have the power to protect and support LGBT people with accepting workplace environments where staff can bring their full selves to work,” he stated. 

“We spend most of our lives at work, so getting workplace inclusion right makes a huge difference in the lives of so many LGBT people. Every year, our list of the Top 100 employers show us who’s leading the way when it comes to creating a work environment where LGBT people can thrive and be themselves in the UK,” added  Sood-Smith.

2020 WINNERS

Newcastle City Council, the UK’s ‘most LGBT-inclusive’ employer this year, has become the first local authority to ever reach the pole position since Stonewall started its annual ranking 16  years ago. The council, came fifth in the 2019 list and has been the highest-ranking local authority for the last three years. It claimed the top spot this year for its commitment to equality. LGBT inclusion is embedded across all areas of its work, from employee HR policies to recruitment processes and all internal communications. Newcastle City Council ran numerous events over the year, including their ‘7 days of Pride’ campaign, supporting and highlighting the LGBT community in the run up to Newcastle Pride. It also put on events to mark other visibility days such as Bi Visibility Day, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and Trans Day of Remembrance.

“I’m incredibly proud that our commitment to inclusivity has been recognised with this accolade, and it is a fantastic achievement for us to be the first local authority to be named as Stonewall’s Employer of the Year,” stated Cllr Joyce McCarty, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council. “But this is really an award for everybody in our city who shows us every day that we are all equal and that our great city accepts everyone. Newcastle is a safe and welcoming city and the North East in general does a great deal to champion the LGBT community. We are all eagerly anticipating the fantastic opportunity to demonstrate this by being the host city for UK Pride 2020.

“It is part of the core values of Newcastle City Council that we are all equal and I would like to thank all our amazing staff for putting these beliefs into practice and creating an outstanding workplace where everybody feels comfortable to be who they are.” 

BI-INCLUSION FOCUS

Housing association Gentoo Group came in second place in the Top 100, followed by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. Law firm DWF received special commendation as this year’s Bi-Inclusive Employer of the Year. DWF hosted a bi inclusion seminar for all staff, supported Bi Visibility Day and shared resources with staff about the barriers bi people face. 

Stonewall’s annual anonymous LGBT-inclusion research (of employers who submit to the Workplace Equality Index), which is carried out alongside the ranking, also highlights the importance of bi inclusion. According to its findings, half of bi men (49%) and a third of bi women (34%) hide their identity at work, compared to 7% of gay men and 4% of lesbians.

“It’s hugely important to us that everyone feels that they can be themselves at DWF,” commented Stephen Miles, CEO of Commercial Services and Executive Sponsor of LGBT+ Inclusion at DWF. “That’s why we’re delighted to win the Bi-Inclusive Employer of the Year Award this year, highlighting our work to prioritise bi inclusion across the business. We’re proud of the work our LGBT network have done in partnership with the wider organisation ensuring that all of our policies and processes are bi inclusive, and to improve bi visibility internally.” 

Over the past year, DWF celebrated Bi Visibility Day, profiled bi role models across the business to create opportunities to tell their stories and equipped all its staff to challenge bi-phobic or bi-erasive behavior, both in and outside of the office. “Bi people still face particular difficulties at work, with many bi people not feeling able to bring their full selves to work. We’d encourage every organisation to take steps to support their bi staff, as well as their lesbian, gay and trans staff, to make their work environments welcoming to everyone,” added Miles.

TOP OF THE CLASS

For the second year running, education organisations have come top of the class in this year’s Top 100, with 16 making the list. Cardiff University was the sector’s highest achiever, coming in at position 10, while Pearson, Britain’s multinational publishing company, made its debut at 80. The legal sector came a close second with 15 firms on the list, including last year’s winner Pinsent Masons at position 4. Two legal organisations are making their first appearance on the Top 100 this year: Mayer Brown International LLP (64) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (93).

Elsewhere in the Top 100, Sky has soared to position 28, while Channel 4 lands at 35 in its debut. Sainsbury’s is Britain’s only supermarket on this year’s Top 100, coming in at 71. 

For the third year running, Stonewall has given special recognition to companies who have gone above and beyond to ensure trans staff feel accepted. This year’s list includes last year’s number one employer, Pinsent Masons, along with Victim Support, Skills Development Scotland and the Department for International Trade. 

DISCRIMINATION LEVELS

This comes as trans people continue to face worrying levels of abuse across all areas of their lives.  LGBT people of all ages can face discrimination and abuse when both looking for work and once they are in the workplace.

Stonewall’s research demonstrates the increasing importance of creating inclusive workplaces. More than a third of LGBT people (35%) looking for work are worried about being discriminated against or harassed because of who they are. Meanwhile, one in five LGBT staff (18%) have been the target of negative comments from colleagues.

Within the last year, 35% of trans respondents had also experienced negative comments or conduct from colleagues relating to their gender identity, confirmed Stonewall’s findings. This rose to 38% of non-binary trans respondents and 39% of female trans respondents, compared to 29% of male trans respondents. Disabled trans respondents were also more frequently subjected to negative comments or conduct relating to their gender identity, 44% compared to 31% of trans respondents who aren’t disabled. 

More shockingly, one in eight LGBT+ employees (12%), have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the last year, according to the charity.

ENCOURAGING RESULTS

Stonewall’s anonymous survey, however, also revealed encouraging results. “More non-LGBT employees told us they support equality than in 2019, and 80% of LGBT employees said that they feel able to be themselves at work. When it comes to seeking support at work, most LGBT employees said they would feel confident reporting homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying to their employers,” stated Stonewall UK’s Interim CEO, Paul Twocock. 

“But the fight for equality is far from over,” he added. “LGBT people continue to face discrimination in all walks of life, including in the workplace. This is especially true for trans people, who reported particularly high levels of workplace harassment and discrimination. Non-binary people, disabled LGBT people and LGBT people of colour were all less likely to feel confident in reporting homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying and harassment to their employer. More than half of trans respondents (65%) and bi respondents (73%) told us that they don’t feel confident disclosing their identity at work.” 

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION

Finally, each year, Stonewall also names individuals and network groups who have made an outstanding contribution to LGBT inclusion in their workplace. This year, Laila El-Metoui received the accolade of Stonewall’s Lesbian Role Model of the Year for her work in the Tower Hamlets Council, and as co-chair of their LGBT Network. 

Commenting on the award, El-Metoui, stated: “Having positive role models in your life gives you hope. It can inspire you to achieve. I was and I am still inspired by my own role models.  I hope to encourage people to be the change they want to see.”

Click here to see the full list of Stonewall’s Top 100 most LGBT-inclusive employers and survey results.