A top gay-friendly employer

Cardiff University continues to be ranked as one of the UK's top gay-friendly employers.

For the fifth consecutive year, the University has made it into Stonewall's Top 100 Employers in recognition of its commitment to equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual employees.

Moving up 28 places since last year, Cardiff is now ranked 24^th,the highest ranking the University has ever achieved, in an extremely competitive list compiled by gay rights charity Stonewall.

Cardiff is now ranked second out of eight UK universities featuring in the index, the top Russell Group university and the only university in Wales to achieve this status.

Karen Cooke, Chair of Enfys the LGBT+ staff network said: "The Stonewall Top 100 is one of the benchmarks we use to ensure the University remains committed to LGBT+ equality.

"To have remained in the Top 100 for a 5th year and to have climbed 28 places is an incredible achievement and highlights the work we have done but also the work that remains.

"We know in an organisation of over 6,000 members of staff that there is still plenty to do to create the best environment for LGBT+ staff and students. Huge thanks to the members of our staff network and our Friends of Enfys for their support around the University and we hope as many people as possible can come to one of our events in LGBT History Month in February."

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan said: "The Workplace Equality Index is designed to challenge and stretch employers and demonstrates how we remain committed to equality at work.

"I would like to thank all staff for contributing to this recognition and in particular our LGBT+ staff network that work so hard to ensure that the University continues to be an exemplar organisation.

"It is right that Wales's leading university takes a lead and I hope we continue to build upon our success."

The Workplace Equality Index is Britain's leading tool for employers to measure their efforts to tackle discrimination and create inclusive workplaces for lesbian, gay and bisexual employees.

Since 2005, more than 800 major employers have taken part in the Index using Stonewall's criteria as a model for good practice.

Stonewall revises the Index criteria every three years. 2015 is the first year of the new Index cycle.  The new criteria have been created to push top performers to new heights while providing a framework for thought and action for employers at the start of their journey.