The LGBT-equality charity Stonewall has published for the first time a list of Britain’s best employers for trans and non-binary staff as part of its annual review of the Top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers.
Top of the list was The National Assembly for Wales which, in addition to a range of inclusive policies and practices for lesbian, gay and bi staff, has introduced a raft of measures to improve the workplace for trans staff.
Examples include updating their workplace systems to offer an Mx title as well as a space for staff to give their own gender term on forms. The Assembly has also introduced gender-neutral facilities across the entire organisation and created inclusive training and policies that demonstrate a real commitment to LGBT, including non-binary, staff.
And the changes are greatly needed. Earlier this month Stonewall released research that showed half of trans people (51 per cent) have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination or abuse and that one in eight trans employees (12 per cent) have been physically attacked by colleagues or customers in the past year. Almost half (48 per cent) of trans people don’t feel comfortable using public toilets through fear of discrimination or harassment.
As part of the Top 100, Stonewall also collects more than 92,000 anonymous responses from employees on their experience of Britain’s workplace culture and diversity. Despite the above findings, the vast majority (91 per cent) of non-LGBT employees who responded to the survey, say they understand why their employer is committed to LGBT equality.
More than 430 organisations took part in this year’s index, with each organisation required to demonstrate their expertise in 10 areas of employment policy and practice, including networking groups, senior leadership, procurement and how well they’ve engaged with the LGBT community.
Jo Seery of Thompsons Solicitors commented: “Discrimination against transgender workers is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010. This report from Stonewall gives examples of good practice which all employers could implement to create a more open and safer working environment and help prevent transgender discrimination and harassment in the workplace.”
Visit the Stonewall website to read the full list and click to read its research on the experience of trans employees.