The group chief executive of Lloyds TSB has paid tribute to the bank’s sexual orientation strategy after it was named the most gay-friendly employer in the UK.
Lloyds TSB came out top of the Top 100 Employers 2009, published by campaign group Stonewall, which ranks the best employers in UK for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
The bank scored highest after answering a 25-question survey about workplace culture, and being independently evaluated. However, public sector organisations dominated the top 10, with Hampshire Constabulary coming second, and Brighton & Hove City Council third.
Eric Daniels, group chief executive at Lloyds TSB, credited much of the bank’s success to its introduction of a sexual orientation policy.
“Sexual orientation has been a key diversity priority for Lloyds TSB for a number of years, and this accolade is testament to our progress and commitment to this agenda,” he said.
“Recent staff research confirmed that our internal culture has improved since the introduction of our sexual orientation strategy and that more – in fact most – lesbian, gay and bisexual staff also feel comfortable about being out in our workplace.”
Lloyds TSB’s strategy links sexual orientation equality and diversity to wider organisational aims. Progress is measured and reported to the board at least every six months, and work on sexual orientation is also discussed at a monthly meeting between the head of diversity and the deputy group chief executive.
The bank’s equality strategy is on its intranet, and has been accessed by 31,000 members of staff in the past year.
Stonewall had a record 317 submissions from employers this year, up from 136 in the survey’s inaugural year in 2005.
The top 10
1 Lloyds TSB
2 Hampshire Constabulary
3 Brighton & Hove City Council
4 Kent Police
5= Nacro
5= Transport for London
7 London Borough of Tower Hamlets
8= Manchester City Council
8= Merseyside Police
10 Home Office
Source: Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2009
