Stonewall names NHSBSA one of Britain's top 100 LGBT employers

Stonewall names north east NHS authority one of Britain’s top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers

NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has made it onto Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list out of a record 445 participating organisations, the largest number to ever enter.

The index is a powerful benchmarking tool used by employers to assess their achievements and progress on LGBT equality in the workplace, as well as their wider work in the community and on service provision.

NHSBSA has taken 88th place on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index and this is the sixth year it has taken part, making great progress each year. The selection process is rigorous and NHSBSA has gone from 310th in 2014; to make the Top 100 this year.

Each organisation must demonstrate expertise in 10 areas of employment policy and practice, including networking groups, senior leadership, procurement and how well they’ve engaged with LGBT communities.

As part of the Top 100, Stonewall collects more than 92,000 anonymous responses from employees on their experience of Britain’s workplace culture and diversity (one of the largest national employment surveys in Britain). An overwhelming 93 per cent of non-LGBT employees who responded to the survey, say they understand why their employer is committed to LGBT equality.

Alistair McDonald, Chief Executive of NHSBSA, is also the Executive Champion for Diversity and Inclusion. He said: “At the NHSBSA we aim to be representative of all the communities we serve. We know that diverse teams lead to more creative and productive environments. A diverse workforce also brings unique skillsets that enrich and improve our quality of work.

“I’m delighted that our efforts have been recognised and we have achieved a position in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers Workplace Equality Index. As an inclusive organisation we celebrate individuality as an important part of our strategy to make the NHSBSA a great place to work. And this reflects our values. I’d like to thank all our people for their efforts and they should rightly be proud of this achievement.”

Last year, Stonewall released research* that revealed more than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) have hidden they are LGBT at work and almost one in five LGBT employees (18 per cent) have been the target of negative comments from colleagues because of their identity.

Darren Towers, Stonewall’s Executive Director said: “NHSBSA and all those who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list are making a huge difference to workplaces, services and communities across the UK. LGBT-inclusive employers play a crucial role in changing society by using their power and influence to protect and support LGBT people. More than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) still hide their identity at work for fear of discrimination; that has an impact on productivity, wellbeing and more and shows we still have lots to do. However, with organisations like NHSBSA displaying such a strong commitment to LGBT equality, we are one step closer to creating a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception.”

 

Contact Information

Sahdia Hassen

Senior Media and Campaigns Officer

NHS Business Services Authority

communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Notes to editors

Photo caption: NHSBSA Board and Leadership Team Diversity & Inclusion Champions Alistair McDonald and Nick O’Reilly celebrating with the Wellbeing & Inclusion team and representatives from the Diversity & Inclusion Network.

  • The Stonewall Top 100 Employers are the best performing employers on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2019, an annual audit of lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion by employers across workplaces, services and communities.
  • The Workplace Equality Index is voluntary and free to enter for any employer.
  • 445 employers submitted entries to the 2019 Index, across public, private and third sectors.
  • As part of the Index, there is a staff feedback questionnaire that participating employers can ask their staff to complete. This year, Stonewall received over 92,000 responses to the staff survey, making it one of the largest national employment surveys in Britain, with 17,300 LGBT respondents.
  • All of the Top 100 are members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme which helps employers to embed LGBT inclusion across their workplaces, in their services and with the communities they are part of.
    This is the sixth year that NHSBSA has taken part in the annual Index and it has made great progress each year:
  • 2019 – 88th place
  • 2018 - 113th
  • 2017 – 124th
  • 2016 – 152nd
  • 2015 – 194th
  • 2014 – 310th

About the NHS Business Services Authority

The NHS Business Services Authority is a Special Health Authority and an Arm’s Length Body of the Department of Health which provides a range of critical central services to NHS organisations, NHS contractors, patients and the public. Its purpose is to be a catalyst for better health and its vision is to be the delivery partner of choice for the NHS.

For more information about the NHSBSA, please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

About Stonewall

Stonewall is Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, working to create a world where every single person can be accepted without exception. 

It was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. Stonewall continues to campaign and lobby government to change laws to ensure everyone, everywhere, is free to be themselves.

Stonewall works in partnership with a growing network of more than 760 organisations to help create real change for the better.  It campaigns to eliminate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in communities, and empowers LGBT people and their allies to be role models wherever they live, work, study, shop, socialise or pray.

To get involved visit us at www.stonewall.org.uk . Registered charity number 1101255.