University of Leicester ranked 44th in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for Equality and Diversity

LEICESTER, 31-Jan-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Leicester is ranked 44th in the country in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list, which showcases the most inclusive employers for lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff

The University of Leicester has been ranked as one of the top 50 employers in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2018, the definitive list showcasing the most inclusive employers for lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff in the UK.

This year the University of Leicester has been ranked 44^th, highlighting the success of a number of initiatives the University has been involved in over the past year to improve diversity within the workplace and celebrate LGBT staff and students.

The list is compiled from submissions to the Workplace Equality Index, a powerful benchmarking tool used by employers to create inclusive workplaces which examines criteria such as community engagement, allies and role models and employee policy.

The University of Leicester’s LGBT staff network group has also been listed by Stonewall as one of the Highly Commended Network Groups 2018.

Kate Williams, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality and Diversity, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the huge amount of activity on campus in the past year. From the full programmes in LGBT History Month and Pride Week to our sports teams getting involved in positive campaigns such as the Be The Difference campaign. We are grateful to our exceptional LGBT+ staff and student forums who have great energy, enthusiasm and expertise. We look forward to continuing to work together in our ambition to be a truly inclusive place to work and study.”

Professor Paul Boyle, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, said: “It is wonderful to be recognised for the hard work that has gone into supporting our LGBT staff and students. Our University culture is about respecting, valuing and celebrating the difference of all our employees and students. To have such a large rise in the rankings this year is testament to not only the work of our equality and diversity team, but also the individual work of those people on the ground, in the Students’ Union, and in our LGBT forum, who are continually pushing through new initiatives and events. I’m incredibly proud of everyone who made even the smallest contribution.”

Darren Towers, Executive Director, Stonewall, said: “The University of Leicester and all those who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list have done a fantastic job. Taking part in our Index shows real commitment to understanding and advancing LGBT equality. This year, for the first time, the Index looked at what employers were doing for trans equality in the workplace. This work is crucial.

“We recently published LGBT in Britain: Trans Report, which revealed the profound inequality facing trans people in Britain today. Half of trans people have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination. This must change and it’s encouraging to see so many organisations make a commitment to trans equality. With their support and hard work we can create a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception.”

A celebratory lunch will be hosted by the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester Professor Paul Boyle on 7 February.

• More information about the University of Leicester’s commitment as a Stonewall Diversity Champion is available here: https://le.ac.uk/about/equality/stonewall

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Additional information:

• The Stonewall Top 100 Employers are the best performing employers on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2018, an annual audit of workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff
• The Workplace Equality Index is free to enter for any employer
• 434 employers submitted entries to the 2018 Index, across the public, private and third sectors
• As part of the Index there is a staff feedback questionnaire that participating employers can ask their staff to complete. This year Stonewall received over 92,000 responses to the staff survey making it one of the largest national employment surveys in Britain
• All of the Top 100 are members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme

SOURCE: University of Leicester

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