GMCA and GMFRS named as 50th top employer by Stonewall
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which includes Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), has secured a spot on Stonewall’s Top 100 list for leading LGBTQ+ inclusive employers – moving up to 50th position from 93rd last year.
GMCA and GMFRS also won a Gold Employer award from Stonewall in recognition of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the workplace.
GMCA’s Director of People Services, Mallicka Mandal, said: “Through the hard work of colleagues and networks across our organisation, our organisation has visibly and practically increased its commitment to inclusion with this amazing achievement demonstrating progress to LGBTQ+ equality, with staff members feeling able to bring their whole selves to work.
“We are making great progress in this area; however, we know there is further work to do to fully embed EDI through all parts of our organisation and we continue to work hard to do that.”
Stonewall is Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer rights and as part of the charity’s annual index it ranks organisations by a set of standardised criteria. This includes Stonewall exploring inclusive policies, the employee lifecycle, staff network groups, allies and role models, senior leadership, monitoring, procurement, and customers, service users and clients.
The full Top 100 list this year can be found on the Stonewall website along with further information about the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion, and more information on how the Top 100 list is created.
Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall (she/her) said: ‘It’s been fantastic to see all of the work put in by GMCA and GMFRS over the past year to create a workplace where LGBTQ+ staff feel free to thrive as themselves.
“For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are.”
According to Stonewall’s research, more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff (35%) hide who they are at work, while one in five (18%) have been the target of negative comments because they’re LGBTQ+. In response to this, GMFRS and GMCA have been committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion over the last few years – including through the active staff Rainbow Network and a range of learning and development opportunities.
The GMCA and GMFRS Rainbow Network aims to provide members with safe space to share experiences and have a voice in the continuing growth of inclusion and equality. It recognises their visibility in providing feedback on workplace challenges or barriers with support from senior leaders.
Article Published: 20/02/2023 13:30 PM