14/01-10   -   Press releases

IBM tops Stonewalls 2010 list of gay-friendly employers

Stonewall today publishes its Top 100 Employers 2010, showcasing Britain´s best employers for gay staff.

It names IBM as the best place to work in 2010 for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. In second place is Hampshire Constabulary and Ernst & Young comes third.

Ernst & Young wins the award for Employee Network Group of the Year and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is named Most Improved Employer.

The Index is based on a range of key indicators which this year included the largest ever survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual employees, with over 7,000 participants. This consistently revealed that staff satisfaction levels were highest at the top ranking organisations in the Index. Gay staff working at the top 25 workplaces reported a satisfaction level almost 10 per cent higher than workplaces outside the Top 100. Staff were also more likely to disclose their sexual orientation in monitoring exercises at the highest ranking organisations.

This is the second time in four years that IBM has been named the most gay-friendly employer. Their success reflects the effectiveness of continual improvement as the minimum score to win a place on the 2010 Top 100 was ten per cent higher.

Results of the 2010 Stonewall Top Employers list will be announced at a winner’s ceremony held tonight (January 13) in London hosted by international law firm Simmons & Simmons.

‘Competition was fiercer than ever to secure a place on the 2010 Top Employers List,´ says Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive. ´We received more entries than any previous year from employers who understand and have benefited from Stonewall’s research which found that gay people are far more likely to buy goods or services from companies they know are gay-friendly. The Index is a powerful tool used by Britain´s 1.7 million gay employees and 150,000 gay university students to decide where to take their talent and skills.´

Brendon Riley Chief Executive Officer IBM UK & Ireland says: ‘IBM is extremely proud to accept this important accolade. In 2009 we celebrated the 25th anniversary of IBM’s global LGB non-discrimination policy – but we’re constantly looking for new ways to enrich and broaden the scope of what we can achieve. At IBM, we pride ourselves on delivering a working environment which reflects equality of opportunity and experience for all. Diversity constitutes our character, our identity and ultimately our success – it is in our DNA.’

‘Nottinghamshire Healthcare is delighted to receive this award,’ said Mike Cooke, Chief Executive, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. ‘It reflects the commitment and hard work of our staff, service users and carers in championing a culture of fairness; where equality and diversity are central to everything we do. We believe that our participation in the Workplace Equality Index will be of real benefit to our staff and the people who use our services.’

‘I am thrilled that EYGLES has been awarded Employee Network Group of the Year,’ said Cameron Cartnell of Ernst & Young. ‘It’s wonderful to work for a firm where I can be myself and EYGLES has been a key part in achieving this. I’ve been particularly impressed with the way EYGLES has influenced the broader diversity and inclusiveness agenda at Ernst & Young.’

For the full results visit: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/wei