Oxfordshire County Council has been recognised with a gold award for its work supporting LGBTQ+ staff to be themselves at work.
The announcement was made by Stonewall – Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer rights – when it launched its widely anticipated Top 100 Employers List today.
Over the past year, the council has undertaken significant strides towards creating an inclusive working environment. Employees have engaged with LGBTQ+ communities, including attending Pride events in Witney and Oxford.
Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List 2023 is the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are.
Creating inclusive environments makes the workplace safer and better for everyone – not just LGBTQ+ people.
Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equality said: “I am delighted that Oxfordshire County Council has received a gold award, building on the bronze we received last year, for our work in promoting inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. The award represents the amazing steps we’ve taken to promote inclusion in our communities. Oxfordshire County Council is proud to stand with everyone in our LGBTQ+ communities.”
Nancy Kelley, Chief Executive Officer of Stonewall, said: “It’s been fantastic to see all the work put in by Oxfordshire County Council over the past year to create a workplace where LGBTQ+ staff feel free to thrive as themselves. For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are.
We’re incredibly proud to see so many new entrants from a range of sectors on this year’s list, who are committed to making LGBTQ+ people’s lives better. That’s what inclusion is all about and we can’t wait to see.”
