Lloyds Banking Group and Citi are the only two financial firms to make it into the top 20 of the Top 100 Employers compiled by UK LGBT campaign group Stonewall, coming seventh and ninth, respectively.
Throughout the full list, which comprises companies that provide an LGBT-inclusive environment, there is a sparse grouping of financial organizations: Barclays is 28th, ratings firm Moody’s 44th, Bank of America Merrill Lynch 50th, Credit Suisse 64th and UK regulator the Financial Conduct Authority 69th.
Two London-based law firms, Pinsent Masons and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, top the list in first and second place, respectively.
‘Businesses are at the front lines of driving equality in society, creating spaces where customers, service users and the wider LGBT communities are accepted,’ Emma Kosmin, index and benchmarking manager at Stonewall, tells IR Magazine.
‘Being an LGBT-inclusive employer is a process that can start with everyday actions. This can range from activity like pledging support during Pride or Trans Day of Remembrance, hosting LGBT networking events, profiling LGBT role models in the workplace or offering diversity training to staff. Each of these kinds of initiative can help create a work environment where LGBT staff can be themselves and, because of that, thrive at work.
‘But not all workplaces are the same, so diversity and inclusion cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach, which is why employers need to listen to the needs of their lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees and address the challenges they face. This means creating safe spaces for LGBT employees to come together, discuss their issues and offer their own potential solutions.
‘Collaborative efforts between employers and employees help ensure no one is left behind, LGBT staff are treated with dignity and respect and, ultimately, everyone can contribute.’
