Islington Council has gained further recognition from leading gay equality charity Stonewall in a national survey of private and public sector employers in Britain published this week.
In the Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2010 Workplace Equality Index, the borough made an impressive showing, in 11th place.
Over 350 organisations took part. The achievement is a remarkable improvement on last year - the first year that Islington Council took part in the Index - when the borough entered the list at a respectable 77th place.
The Index is the definitive national benchmarking exercise showcasing Britain’s top employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. It's also an opportunity for Diversity Champions to promote best practice in equalities issues within their own organisations.
Cllr Ruth Polling, Executive Member for Equalities, Islington Council said:
"Islington is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country.
"We have worked hard to eliminate discrimination of any kind from the workplace and to reach out to LGBT organisations across the borough.
"As an employer we want to reflect the unique make-up and diversity of our borough and allow people to be themselves at work.
"It's one of our strengths and crucial in demonstrating our commitment to serving all sections of our population."
A year of progress to promote equality among Islington's 3,500 workers and partners has included staff training, strengthening the work of the LGBT forum, anti-bullying work in schools and the launch of the Sexual Orientation Equalities Strategy (SOES).
Islington was rated as one of the Star Performer Network Groups for its staff forum while Stonewall commended Islington's Community Engagement programme which featured a 'youth and education' themed LGBT History Month and a photographic competition with LGBT Unison for Pride Week 2009.
The Stonewall Top 100 Workplace Equality Index was published on 13 January 2010 with categories for Employer of the Year, Most Improved Employer, Public Sector Employer of the Year and Employee Network Group of the Year.
Notes to Editors:
* Research by Stonewall shows that only 65 per cent of lesbian, gay and bisexual workers are open about their sexual orientation to their managers.
* The index has grown in size over recent years and now lists 352 public sector and private organisations. Local authorities are the single largest sector in Stonewall’s 2010 Top 100 Employers list.
* For more information about Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2010 visit www.stonewall.org.uk/wei
* For for information about Islington's LGBT History Month go to: www.islington.gov.uk/lgbthistory
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 February 2010