Riverside has leaped 24 places, from 60 to 36, in Stonewall’s league table of LGBT-friendly employers.
We were also second within the housing sector and held onto our title as the best gay-friendly housing association in the North West for the fifth year in succession.
This is the fifth year we have featured in the league table, which represents the best performing employers on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2018, an annual audit of employee culture for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff.
John Glenton, Riverside’s Executive Director of Care and Support and co-chair of its LGBT staff group, is delighted with the accolade.
He said: “We’re really pleased that the progress we have made in the last year has been recognised again and are thrilled to have made such a big jump up the table.
“In the last 12 months, while working hard on behalf of our lesbian, gay and bisexual colleagues, we have also focussed our attention on improving conditions for trans members of staff.
“Several trans employees have played a vital role in policy development and raising awareness and we appreciate their support and commitment to helping Riverside become a truly inclusive employer.”
John, joined by Riverside’s Equality and Diversity Manager Lyn Bowker, is set to attend an awards event this evening in London to celebrate the launch of the Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2018.
John added: “At Riverside, we embrace and celebrate the diversity of our customers and workforce and this award helps to formally recognise this.
“It supports our quest to create workplaces where LGBT colleagues can be themselves, allowing us to deliver our best results.
“Our active and engaged LGBT staff group, allies programme and newly-emerging trans supporters send out a positive message to colleagues who might be considering coming out at work. We want customers and colleagues to feel comfortable enough to make that choice, and not feel like they have to hide their real selves with Riverside.”