Stonewall has released its Top 100 Employers list, which shows the life-changing impact of safe and inclusive workplaces
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY RODNAE PRODUCTIONS VIA PEXELS
Being yourself at work can be hard, regardless of your identity. But when you add the worries of being misgendered at work or navigating how to come out as a lesbian or bisexual person, this experience becomes all the more intense. We all deserve safe and equal rights at work. Today, Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List was released. It is made up of the UK’s leading ranking of employers from the public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are.
How is the list made?
It’s compiled through submissions to a free, voluntary benchmarking tool, the Workplace Equality Index. All entries are thoroughly marked against a standardised criteria and the top 100 are picked out for their excellent work in creating inclusive workplaces for their LGBTQI staff.
What else is Stonewall doing to promote LGBTQI inclusion at work?
After a year-long hiatus to acknowledge the impact of the pandemic on businesses, it’s great to see the list return. Before and during the pandemic, we have seen an increased “debate” regarding trans lives. These tensions seep through into the workplace as well. In response to increased opposition of trans inclusion at work, Stonewall has also launched its Bring Yourself To Work campaign. It highlights the real life impact that inclusion has on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people across the UK.
Stonewall CEO, Nancy Kelley has said: “For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we don’t feel comfortable being ourselves, it can take an enormous toll. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes the workplace a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are.”
Why do these programmes matter?
Diversity and inclusion programmes often receive criticism. Whilst some claim that they are performative, others believe they lack impact. But we cannot forget that being able to bring your full self to work can be both life changing and life saving. Big change often happens through small incremental changes.
In response to the criticisms, Nancy said: “In the midst of criticism and questions about our inclusion work we’re launching our Bringing Yourself To Work campaign to highlight what this work is all about – changing LGBTQ+ people’s lives for the better. That’s what we’ve always been here to do, and we make no apology for it.”
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