51³Ô¹Ïapp

51³Ô¹Ïapp 'a beacon for inclusivity' as university is ranked 2nd in the UK for supporting the LGBTQ+ workforce


De 51³Ô¹Ïapp University Leicester (51³Ô¹Ïapp) has been ranked 2nd in the UK for being a welcoming place to work for LGBTQ+ staff, making it ‘a beacon for inclusivity’.

STONEWALL - top 100 logo

LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2024 list, published today, puts 51³Ô¹Ïapp ahead of some of the UKs biggest legal, health, construction, finance and charity organisations for supporting everyone ‘to bring their full selves to work’.

It is the best result 51³Ô¹Ïapp has ever had in the Stonewall Top 100, beating last year’s previous high when the university was ranked 27th in the UK, and makes 51³Ô¹Ïapp the highest placed university. 51³Ô¹Ïapp has also received a gold award for its work.

51³Ô¹Ïapp Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington said: “I am incredibly proud to lead a university where so much emphasis is placed on the diversity of our staff and student community.

“It’s one of the cornerstones of our strategy to become the Empowering University. Being placed second in the UK in the Stonewall Top 100 is the perfect acknowledgement of the brilliant work being done by so many people at 51³Ô¹Ïapp to make this university a beacon for inclusivity.”

Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List is the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors, to show how inclusive their workplaces are.

The results are based on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index which is an anonymous survey of all staff experiences of diversity and inclusion.

It covers areas such as how rigorous policies are to combat discrimination, bullying and harassment, the use of inclusive language, the value placed on diversity, the activities of LGBTQ+ network groups, how LGBTQ+ people are encouraged to become active role models and the impact on the wider community.

STONEWALL - gold

Professor Susan Orr, 51³Ô¹Ïapp Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Equality, said being placed 2nd in the UK was an incredible achievement and she praised the work of the 51³Ô¹Ïapp LGBTQ+ Network co chairs Zara Hooley and Amelia Roberts, who have helped the university make significant strides towards creating an inclusive environment.

Professor Orr said: “The work of the LGBTQ+ network, the EDI team and People Services supports diversity, equity and inclusion and allows us to build a respectful workplace where we can be ourselves.

“Being placed 2nd in the UK is wonderful recognition of the work done by so many people in the 51³Ô¹Ïapp community to make sure every voice can be heard. This award makes me very proud to work at 51³Ô¹Ïapp.”

Zara said: “What makes me most excited about this ranking is that people will choose to come and work here because they know they will be respected. It also sends a positive message to students about how welcome they will be when they study at 51³Ô¹Ïapp.”

Amelia added: “To be able to be who I am without being treated in a different way is so important and gives me a great sense of security. I want to pass on my thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to gain this national recognition.”

Colin Macfarlane, Director of Programmes and Income at Stonewall, said: “By championing LGBTQ+ employees, you are fostering a happy and motivated workforce and contributing to a UK where LGBTQ+ people can thrive as their true selves.”

Posted on Monday 15 July 2024

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