Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer rights, Stonewall, has today launched its hotly anticipated Top 100 Employers List and named legal firm Clifford Chance as the UK’s most inclusive employer.
Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List is the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors, based on how inclusive their workplaces are.
The list ranks organisations on their efforts and commitment to inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. The charity saw a rise in construction and engineering firms entering the Top 10, with Arup, Jacobs Engineering Group and Stockport Homes Group all ranking highly.
Retail also saw a higher than usual performance, with nationwide employers Wickes and Tesco both charting in the top fifteen.
The Top 100 Employers List is compiled through submissions to a free, voluntary benchmarking tool, the Workplace Equality Index. All submissions are then marked against thorough and standardised criteria and the Top 100 Employers are picked out for their excellent work in making their workplace a welcoming environment for their LGBTQ+ staff.
Liz Ward, Director of Programmes at Stonewall, (she/her) said:
‘Stonewall has strived to help organisations build inclusive workplace environments for over twenty years, and that experience has taught us that doing so makes work safer and better for everyone – not just LGBTQ+ people.
‘For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place – and helps spark creativity as different viewpoints and life experiences are heard.
‘We’re incredibly proud to see so many new entrants from a wide range of sectors on this year’s list, who are committed to making LGBTQ+ people’s lives better – allowing them to attract, retain and nurture the top LGBTQ+ talent’
Deon Fang, Associate at Clifford Chance, said:
‘We are honoured to be recognised as the top employer for LGBTQ+ people by Stonewall. People from every part of Clifford Chance have worked together for years to affirm LGBTQ+ colleagues, build LGBTQ+ community and protect LGBTQ+ rights in the world. It is particularly meaningful to receive this recognition for the year we celebrated 15 years of our LGBTQ+ network Arcus. We are focused on working together across the spectrum of LGBTQ+ communities, because equality requires solidarity. Our work continues.’
Top 10 LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employers – find the full list here:
1. Clifford Chance
2. Arup
3. Victim Support
4. NHS Business Services Authority
5. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
6. Jacobs Engineering Group
7. Stockport Homes Group
8. KPMG
9. Linklaters
10. Citi
