Imperial makes top 100 in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index

Imperial achieves place in ranking for second year running

Thursday 13 January 2011
by Simon Watts

Imperial College London has been named one of the UK’s top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual people for the second year running.

Imperial’s place at number 87 in Stonewall’s 2011 Workplace Equality Index makes it one of only five universities in the top 100, alongside Liverpool John Moores, Cardiff, Salford, and Cambridge. The Index is published annually to showcase the UK’s best employers for LGB people, based on the steps they are taking to create a work environment in which all staff feel secure and valued.

Speaking about the College’s ranking, Imperial’s Rector Sir Keith O’Nions said: “Once again, our inclusion in Stonewall’s index of top 100 employers sends a strong message that discrimination based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated on our campuses. The members of Imperial 600 have built on the achievements of last year and my thanks and congratulations go to them for leading on initiatives that support our talented and diverse workforce.”

Today’s news reflects the College’s increased focus over the past two years on improving inclusivity and equality for LGBT staff, which began with the re-launch of its staff advisory group and staff network, Imperial 600, in January 2009. The group’s name reflects the estimation that around 10% of the UK’s population is LGBT, equalling 600 of the College’s 6,000 staff.

Mr Robert Millwood, Deputy Chair of Imperial 600 and a Senior Grants Administrator in the Faculty of Medicine, said: “We are delighted that Imperial has been recognised in this year’s index, as the criteria for inclusion were tougher than ever. It is also encouraging to see more universities making it into the top 100. Recent research from the Equality Challenge Unit suggested that half of all students in Higher Education have been treated in a negative way because of their sexual orientation. This shows universities still have some way to go in creating an environment where all LGBT staff and students feel equal.”

491student

Since the College’s inclusion in last year’s index, membership of Imperial 600 has increased by 20%, and includes staff at different levels and of a broad range of ethnicities. It has introduced a mentoring and coaching programme for LGBT staff at Imperial, and has established a Higher Education LGBT network for London, enabling the capital’s universities to share experiences and best practice for supporting LGBT staff. The group has also been working extensively with other Russell Group institutions on LGBT equality initiatives.

378 organisations entered the benchmarking exercise this year, covering employers from 25 different industries. David Shields, Stonewall’s Director of Workplace Programmes, said: “To secure a top 100 place employers had to achieve a minimum score that was higher than the average overall score in the 2009 index – demonstrating the progress British employers are making on sexual orientation.”

While the Home Office topped the survey, many of the highest scoring organisations are from the private sector and only five universities made the grade. Mr Millwood suggests this may be because HEIs see themselves as liberal places, and often assume that they are already doing enough in this area. Suggesting reasons why the equal treatment for LGBT staff lags some way behind other equality initiatives, he says, “LGBT is not seen as a minority group. Race and disability are both visual, and there is more taboo and stigma attached to LGBT issues. Managers may find it a difficult topic to approach, which is why we’ve looked at mentoring and training within our HR policies.”

Imperial 600 is currently working to establish a system to ensure that all companies from which the College obtains goods and services meet its LGBT equality standards. Kani Kamara, Equalities and Diversity Manager, said: “It’s gratifying to see Imperial in the top 100. We’ve seen a marked increase in Imperial 600 members taking part in consultative groups looking at and influencing key policies within the College. We’ve still got some way to go but are making good progress.”