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Brighton & Hove City Council has been named as one of the country's most gay-friendly employers. The authority came seventh in a study carried out by gay rights campaign group Stonewall.
Employers were ranked according to criteria ranging from implementation of an effective equality policy to demonstrating how they engage with their lesbian and gay staff, customers and service users. The council said it had launched several gay-friendly initiatives, including a campaign against homophobic bullying in schools, work to recruit lesbian and gay foster parents, the creation of special sections in libraries, work against hate crime and becoming one of the top UK providers of civil partnership ceremonies. Council leader Simon Burgess said: "We have always worked to have a close relationship with the LGBT community. "It's such an essential part of the character of Brighton & Hove and any council should be a reflection of its community. "I'm proud of the work we do in this area and so pleased that this achievement has been recognised. But at the same time we are not complacent." Stephen Frost, Stonewall's director of workplace programmes, said:
"Employers actively engaged in the talent market take Stonewall's workplace equality study very seriously. "They know Britain's 1.7 million gay staff and their colleagues now use this information in their career planning. "Organisations that have made Stonewall's list deserve congratulations for their performance over the past year." Transport for London (TfL), meanwhile, was placed eighth in the list, a dramatic improvement on last year. This makes TfL the most improved public body over the period, an achievement that has been recognised by Stonewall. Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index is the definitive national benchmarking exercise showcasing Britain's top employers for gay staff. This year, 200 organisations from across the private and public sector were surveyed. TfL's placing is the result of work carried across the organisation and supported by its Equality and Inclusion team over the past year: - Dedicated equality training has been introduced for all staff.
- Staff network groups have developed a more active support and development role.
- A supplier diversity procurement programme to ensure that all services are procured fairly is now in place.
Peter Hendy, Commissioner, Transport for London said: "We are absolutely delighted to be eighth in the top 100 employers and thrilled to receive an award for the most improved public organisation. "This is great recognition for our progress in promoting equality and diversity in the workplace. "We've taken part in Stonewall's programme since it began in 2005 and benefited from the chance to step back and measure ourselves against other leading employers. "We're not being complacent and there is more to be achieved but this award is a great incentive to continue our progress." Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said: "Transport for London deserves congratulations for the hard work it has put in to achieve a top 10 placing this year. "In addition I am delighted that the Greater London Authority has been rated third and is the highest rated public sector organisation in the index. "These results underline our commitment to the development and well-being of all our staff across London." Source: 24dash.com |
