Warwickshire one of best LGB employers
Warwickshire County Council is one of the UK’s Top 100 employers when it comes to improving the workplace for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.
That’s according to national charity, Stonewall, who ranked the county council 88th in its Workplace Equality Index for 2010, in recognition of the commitment the council has made to tackling discrimination and improving the workplace for its lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) employees.
The index was developed by Stonewall to challenge Britain’s leading organisations to improve their workplace for LGB staff. The index is in its sixth year and received over 400 submissions this year.
Warwickshire County Council began to participate in the index in 2007; its first submission, in 2008 saw the county ranked 208th, subsequently moving to 132nd in 2009.
Portfolio Holder for Customers, Workforce and Partnerships, Cllr Heather Timms, has hailed the council’s achievement in achieving top 100 status in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.
Cllr Timms said: “We are delighted to be included in Stonewall’s top 100; this recognises the work done specifically by, and for, our network of LGB staff.
“The County Council is committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity, this has driven our work and our position within the Index reflects this.
"The fact that the county council is so aware of its commitment to a diverse workforce is reflected in its resolve to provide quality services to every resident in all the county’s communities.”
A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council’s LGBT Staff Network said: “Our members are delighted that Warwickshire County Council has made it into the Stonewall Top 100 Employers Index.
"It is testament to the work done by the LGBT Network, the Corporate Equalities Team and the wider council alike. It is important that we build on this success and ensure that Warwickshire stays in the top 100.”