Council moves up the ranks in equality index

Leeds City Council has retained a top 100 place in the Stonewall equality index again this year.

The council has been ranked 37th – up 43 places from last year – in the campaign group’s annual index of Britain’s leading employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) staff.

The criteria for this year have been amended to allow a better distinction between ‘very good’ and ‘very best’. The council were commended for how well it engaged with the LGB community, which showed a significant improvement from last year and for having openly gay role models across the council.

Over 360 organisations made a bid to be featured in the latest Stonewall Workplace Equality Index , collectively employing more than 1.9 million people.

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council said:
“It is brilliant news that we have been placed in the top 50 of the Stonewall index. This demonstrates the hard work put into making equalities a top priority both by the excellent team leading this work, but, as importantly, by all our employees whose differences are welcomed and valued in the council.”

Councillor Alison Lowe, equalities champion for Leeds City Council, said:“It is fantastic news that we have moved so far up the Stonewall list this year, and it is a real credit to everyone involved.

“The council is committed to not only tackling discrimination in the workplace, but also ensure that equality and diversity is a key part of the make-up of the council."

The LGB staff network, which is open to all staff within the council, was set up to provide a supportive environment where LGB employees can meet to discuss issues which affect their community and them as individuals.

Madeline Lasko from Stonewall said:
“Congratulations to Leeds City Council for their performance in this year’s Workplace Equality Index. Achieving such a high rank is a particularly impressive achievement as the criteria for this year’s Index was revised to be the most rigorous and challenging yet. We recognise the work done by Leeds City Council in improving the working environment for its lesbian, gay and bisexual staff, and the important role played in this by the LGB staff network.”


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For media enquiries, please contact;
Cat Milburn, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 247 4450
Email: Catherine.milburn@leeds.gov.uk