REVEALED: UK’s Top 100 Most LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employers

The Macquarie Group has scooped Stonewall’s Top Employer 2022 Award in the UK’s definitive list of workplaces that have dedicated themselves to supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion.

“We’re thrilled with the recognition of how important LGBTQ+ inclusion is to Macquarie, in the UK and globally,” stated Paul Plewman, Chief Executive Officer for Macquarie Group EMEA. “This achievement recognises years of work to ensure that all our people feel empowered and can thrive and is a tribute to the commitment of the whole Macquarie team.”

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service came second in this year’s Top 100, followed by Clifford Chance LLP and Victim Support and NHS Business Services Authority. Stonewall's Top 100 includes public, private and third sector organizations.

This year private sector organisations made up 48 of the Top 100 employers this year, along with 47 public sector employers and 7 third sector organizations. The financial sector was the most successful sector in this year’s list, with a total of 16 firms from financial services placing on the list. The legal and education sectors are also well represented on the list, with 15 legal firms and 14 education organisations. Government and Regulators also featured highly, with 12 reaching a top spot.

“It’s been wonderful to see all of the work put in by the private, public and third sector organizations making up the Top 100 Employers List this year,” commented Stonewall CEO Nancy Kelley. “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. 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.”

Through its Diversity Champion program, Stonewall has been helping organizations create inclusive workplaces for more than two decades. The charity insists that inclusion for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people is not only vital for business, but has a life changing effect on LGBTQ+ staff. According to its latest research:

• Almost one in five LGBTQ+ staff (18%) have been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues in the last year because they’re LGBTQ+.​
• More than a third of LGBTQ+ staff hide who they are at work in fear of discrimination.​
• One in eight lesbian, gay and bi people wouldn’t feel confident reporting any homophobic or biphobic bullying to their employer (rising to one in five for trans people)​.
• One in eight trans people (12%) have been physically attacked by customers or colleagues in the last year because of being trans.​
• Almost one in five LGBTQ+ people (18%) who were looking for work said they were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity while trying to get a job in the last year.​

Since Stonewall set up the Diversity Champions program, many large employers have developed major internal programs to promote diversity and inclusion for their LGBTQ+ staff. This has included creating LGBTQ+ Networks, supporting organizations to include LGBTQ+ staff in all of their policies, communicate a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, bullying and harassment at work, and supporting staff to bring their whole selves to their jobs.

You can check out the full list of Stonewall’s 2022 Top 100 Employers here.

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