Taylor Wessing has been named as one of the top 50 inclusive employers in the UK by lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity, Stonewall, in its 2019 Top 100 Employers list.
Taylor Wessing placed 37 in this year's list, rising 14 places in the rankings from 51, where the firm was placed for the first time in 2018.
This year’s Top 100 survey received submissions from a record 445 employers to demonstrate their commitment and progress over the past year to LGBT workplace inclusion.
As part of the process in assessing employers to be included in the Top 100, Stonewall also collects more than 92,000 anonymous responses from employees on their experience of the UK’s workplace culture and diversity. Each organisation must demonstrate their expertise in 10 areas of employment policy and practice, including networking groups, senior leadership, procurement and how well they’ve engaged with LGBT communities.
Taylor Wessing demonstrated its commitment to supporting an inclusive and diverse working environment. It has worked extensively over the past year to drive initiatives that help achieve this. These include:
- continuing to promote its transitioning at work policy, first launched in 2018
- connecting with clients and other firms to share best practice on creating the most supportive environment for LGBT people
- implementing learning sessions focusing on topics from transvisibility, to World AIDS Day
- reviewing parental policies to ensure they are as LGBT friendly as possible.
Commenting on the firm's recognition, Managing Partner Shane Gleghorn said: "We are committed to ensuring that our working environment is a place where people can be themselves and allows talent to flourish. The number of initiatives we run underlines this. We are proud of the work we do with external organisations to support diversity and acceptance in the wider world. Making the Stonewall Top 100 Employers list, and rising 14 places this year, is a credit to every one of our people whose individualism and hard work show how inclusive our firm really is."
Darren Towers, Stonewall’s Executive Director said: "Taylor Wessing and all those who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list are making a huge difference to workplaces, services and communities across the UK. LGBT-inclusive employers play a crucial role in changing society by using their power and influence to protect and support LGBT people. More than a third of LGBT staff (35%) still hide their identity at work for fear of discrimination; that has an impact on productivity, wellbeing and more and shows we still have lots to do. However, with organisations like Taylor Wessing displaying such a strong commitment to LGBT equality, we are one step closer to creating a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception.’
The firm is also dedicated to promoting inclusivity in the wider world through supporting several charitable organisations. This includes supporting Opening Doors London, a charity helping older LGBT Londoners and Freehold, a forum for LGBT people in the property sector which received multiple awards throughout 2018.
