Stonewall names best employers for gay people
January 15th, 2010 by Chloe.Setter
A police constabulary, a professional services group and a computing corporation have emerged as the three top employers for gay people in the UK.
Gay rights organisation Stonewall has published its Top 100 Employers 2010, naming IBM as the best place to work for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain – its second top ranking in four years.
Hampshire Police Constabulary and Ernst & Young came second and third respectively.
Nottinghamshire’s Healthcare NHS Trust was also singled out as the Most Improved Employer for 2010.
Stonewall compiled the index based on its staff satisfaction levels of a survey of more than 7,000 employees – the largest ever of its kind.
Gay staff at those workplaces in the top 25 reported a satisfaction level almost 10% higher than workplaces outside the top 100.
It was also revealed that staff were more likely to disclose their sexual orientation in monitoring exercises at those companies coming near the top of the survey.
According to Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill, competition was “fiercer than ever”.
“We received more entries than any previous year from employers who understand and have benefited from Stonewall’s research which found that gay people are far more likely to buy goods or services from companies they know are gay-friendly. The index is a powerful tool used by Britain’s 1.7m gay employees and 150,000 gay university students to decide where to take their talent and skills.”
Brendon Riley, chief executive officer IBM UK & Ireland, added: “At IBM, we pride ourselves on delivering a working environment which reflects equality of opportunity and experience for all. Diversity constitutes our character, our identity and ultimately our success – it is in our DNA.”
The rest of the top 100 is published at Stonewall’s website.
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