International law firm Pinsent Masons has been named the most inclusive employer in the UK by lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity Stonewall in its Top 100 Employers list for 2019.
The Top 100 is the UK’s leading list ranking employers from across public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are and is intensely competitive – with this year seeing more entrants than ever.
Top 10 LGBT-inclusive Employers:
-
Pinsent Masons
-
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
-
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
-
MI5
-
National Assembly for Wales (joint 5th place)
-
Newcastle City Council (joint 5th place)
-
Lloyds Banking Group
-
Welsh Government
-
Citi
-
Baker McKenzie
Richard Foley, who is a Senior Partner at Pinsent Masons, said that the recognition was a very special achievement. “It isn’t about reaching the top spot; it’s about what the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index stands for and what everyone engaged in it is working so hard to accomplish,” he said.
“Pinsent Masons was the first law firm to be ranked in the Index in 2008. Today the legal sector is represented by 16 firms. Our ranking recognises that like many other organisations we are championing LGBT+ inclusion in everything that we do.
“Pinsent Masons has created an inclusive workplace that enables everyone to be themselves; from our recruitment processes through to our engagement with clients.”
Stonewall gave special commendation to the UK’s top-trans inclusive employers, including Pinsent Masons, Victim Support, Skills Development Scotland and the National Assembly for Wales. These are employers who have gone above and beyond to ensure trans staff feel accepted.
Top Trans-inclusive Employers:
-
Baker McKenzie
-
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
-
Cardiff University
-
Citi
-
Manchester Metropolitan University
-
National Assembly for Wales
-
Newcastle City Council
-
Pinsent Masons
-
Skills Development Scotland
-
St Mungo’s
-
Swansea University
-
The University of Sheffield
-
Victim Support
-
Welsh Government
This comes as trans people continue to face worrying levels of abuse in both their private lives and in the public sphere. Shockingly, Stonewall’s research has found that one in eight trans employees (12%) have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the last year.
“LGBT-inclusive employers play a crucial role in changing society by using their power and influence to proudly support LGBT people in their organisations,” said Darren Towers, Stonewall’s Executive Director. “Our number one employer of 2019, Pinsent Masons is leading the way championing lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality in the workplace.
[text:29890]
They know that helping staff feel that they can bring their full selves to work doesn’t just make a huge difference to individual team members – it makes real business sense too.
“They are a shining example for others to follow on how to ensure all staff feel empowered and supported.”
