Cardiff Council’s commitment to being a fair and equal workplace has once again been recognised by Stonewall, Britain’s leading Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) equality charity.
Each year Stonewall produces a list called The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, which lists Britain’s top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. This year Cardiff council has gone up a staggering 37 places.
Following on from the success of 2010, where the council made it into the top 100 and were placed at number 75, the council has now entered the top 50 of the index and are ranked at number 38.
Cardiff Council’s score in the index also rose from 142 points in 2010 to 164 points this year.
The new rank makes Cardiff Council the third highest placed employer in Wales and is the only Welsh Local Authority to feature on the list, which also includes the National Assembly for Wales and North Wales Police.
Stonewall received over 350 entries this year from employers across Britain, and as well as seeing an increase in the number of entries, the quality of entries was also up on 2010.
The Council has focused on reducing homophobia in schools and amongst young people. Cardiff Council’s Schools & Lifelong Learning service became the first to achieve the Rainbow Mark in January 2010, in recognition of its work to tackle homophobic bullying in schools. The Council’s “Loud and Proud” LGBT Youth Provision has also given young LGBT people a platform to raise awareness of the need for all young people to live in dignity, and has been active in building links to major policies such as the Cardiff Children and Young People Plan.
The Council’s LGBT Employee Network has continued to act as a point of support for LGBT employees amongst the Council’s 18,000 strong workforce, and has developed a number of promotions during the year for LGBT History Month, National Coming Out Day and the International Day Against Homophobia.
Council Leader, Cllr Rodney Berman, said: “After last year’s achievement of entering the top 100, we knew it would be a challenge just to maintain our position, so to have risen a further 37 places is fantastic news.
“With Cardiff Council being the largest employer in Wales we have a duty to ensure we create a good working environment for everyone. We have a committed workforce of managers and front line workers working hard to achieve this aim. We also know that making our employees feel valued helps ensure they in turn feel motivated to give the best for the Council.
“Along with our commitment to our workforce, the council also plays an active role in offering the lesbian, gay and bisexual community of Cardiff support. In 2010 we were involved with a number of key events including our continued financial and event support to the Cardiff Mardi Gras, to ensure it remains a key event in the city’s calendar.
Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Judith Woodman, said:” As an employer the council actively promotes equal opportunities, no matter your age, gender, disabilities and of course sexual orientation. I am delighted that our commitment to fairness has been recognised by Stonewall and that we have entered the top 50 on the index.”
