The University has also received a Stonewall Bronze Award as a leading LGBTQIA+ inclusive employer.
Date: 16 February 2023
London Met has climbed 53 places, to 162nd, in this year’s Workplace Equality Index and has been awarded a Bronze award for its work to create a more inclusive workplace, UK-based LGBTQIA+ charity Stonewall announced today.
Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index (WEI) is an annual audit that benchmarks and celebrates the efforts of leading organisations who are working to create more inclusive workplaces. Announced alongside the WEI, London Met’s Bronze award demonstrates the progress the University has made against nine specific criteria such as putting in place explicit bans on discrimination, bullying and harassment based on gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation.
The award recognises the hard work London Met has consistently carried out to be more inclusive, made evident by the fact London Met has climbed up 289 steps in the ranking since 2020.
News of London Met’s improved WEI standing was celebrated by the LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, who have played a key role in this success.
"This is a great result for the University, which shows the tangible progress London Met is making towards becoming a fully inclusive and welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ staff and students" commented Brian Tutt, Co-Lead of London Met’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network and Co-Chair of the Stonewall Steering Group.
Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall said: “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.”
“It’s been fantastic to see all of the work put in by London Met over the past year to create a workplace where LGBTQIA+ 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.”
Stonewall is the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, working to create a world where every lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer person is free to be themselves – wherever they are.
It was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. Stonewall continues to campaign on LGBT Equality, as well as work with employers and schools to create environments which allow LGBTQ+ people to thrive.
