The Stonewall Top 100 Employers
31 January 2018
Cardiff University is one of the UK’s top 15 LGBT friendly employers according to Stonewall’s latest Workplace Equality Index published today (Wednesday 31st January, 2018).
Cardiff has risen to 14th place, its highest ever spot in the Index and the UK’s highest ranked university.
Up nine places on 2017, Cardiff is also recognised for the first time as a Top Trans Employer in recognition of its commitment to transgender equality.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan said: "The Stonewall Top 100 is one of the key benchmarks we use to ensure the University remains committed to LGBT+ equality.
“A rise to 14th place, up from 23rd in 2017, is testimony to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved and clearly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to diversity.
“We are also immensely proud to have been given additional recognition of making it into the Top Trans Employers 2018 and becoming a ‘Stonewall Top Trans Employer’.
“Despite our success, we are not complacent. We will continue to do all that we can to reinforce our commitment to provide an inclusive, welcoming and productive environment for all staff and students.”
The Stonewall Top 100 Employers is an annual audit of workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff and features the best performing employers on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.
Darren Towers, Executive Director, Stonewall said: “Cardiff University 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.”
The widely respected Index is one of the key measures many employers’ use to measure progress on equality.
Karen Cooke, Chair of Enfys, the University’s LGBT+ network for staff and postgraduate students added: “I'm not sure that when we set up the network 12 years ago we would have ever imagined a time when the University would be in the Top 15 of the Workplace Equality Index.
“This is testament to the hard work of people who hold LGBT+ equality close to their hearts and the unfailing support of the University senior leadership in working with us to make the changes that are necessary to create an environment where people can be themselves and thrive whether at study or work.
“I'd like to say a huge thank you to the Enfys committee, this is a team effort and the additional recognition of a Top Trans Employer is the icing on the cake for the work that has been done so far led by Evan and Onyx our Trans Champions.
“There is a lot more to do but we look forward to being part of it.”
The full list of Stonewall’s top 100 employers can be found at: www.stonewall.org.uk.
