University awarded silver by Stonewall
23 February 2022
The University has achieved a prestigious silver award in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI) 2022 for excellence in LGBT+ inclusion including initiatives to promote trans and bi inclusion.
The Workplace Equality Index is a benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in the workplace. Participating employers report, through a written submission and portfolio of evidence, on work by many individuals across the organisation covering:
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- LGBT+ experiences of the employee lifecycle
- relating to HR policies
- our work with and support for our students
- the activities of our LGBT+ Staff Network group
- our LGBT+ allies and role models
- support shown by senior leadership
- data monitoring
- our community engagement
- our work in procurement reaching out to and influencing other organisations.
Staff from across the organisation also complete an anonymous survey about their experiences of diversity and inclusion at work in relation to our LGBT staff.
Stonewall says that “entering the Index is an important step towards LGBT+ inclusion. It signals to staff that the University of Reading takes inclusion seriously and gives the University a solidfoundation to build on. We look forward to sharing where we have identified strengths and gaps, and supporting the University to develop an action plan for future years.”
Dean for Diversity and Inclusion Allán Laville says “I am delighted that we have been awarded a silver award by Stonewall. We look to build on this in coming years and will continue to listen to our LGBT+ community to develop LGBT+ inclusion in a meaningful way. I encourage all staff to get involved; by participating in events or training such as those held for LGBT+ History Month and working to become an ally to our LGBT+ colleagues and students.”
You can find out more about events for LGBT+ History Month in this Staff Portal article, including events taking place throughout February.
About Stonewall
Stonewall is the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, working to create a world where everylesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer person is free to be themselves – wherever they are.
It was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. Stonewall continues to campaignon LGBT Equality,as well aswork with employersandschoolsto create environments which allow LGBT+ people to thrive.
For more information on Stonewall’s work with organisations, through its Diversity Champions programme, and some of the press coverage during summer 2021 please see FAQs here.
To get involved visit www.stonewall.org.ukRegistered charity number 1101255