An introduction from Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of Stonewall
One of the most significant achievements in Stonewall’s 20-year history has been in helping hundreds of major employers make their workplaces more gay-friendly. It was as part of our Workplace programmes that Stonewall launched Starting Out, the first national guide for students and job-switchers wanting to find a gay-friendly employer. This seventh edition features over 420 employers – great news for discerning lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) jobseekers. And as Stonewall Diversity Champions, every one is committed to making their workplace more gay-friendly.
Since 2003, it’s been unlawful to discriminate at work on grounds of sexual orientation. But the employers in this guide are going one step further – they’re actively looking for the very best people and recognise that some happen to be gay. They understand that those people want a working environment where they’ll truly be valued as individuals. And they recognise that attracting and retaining the very best staff, regardless of background, is now a fundamental part of business strategy for British companies wanting to remain market leaders, as well as for public sector organisations striving to provide world-class public services.
This guide provides you with tips for your job search and how to develop your career. It also features employers’ rankings in Stonewall’s latest Workplace Equality Index, listing the most gay-friendly employers in Britain. I’m delighted to introduce our new www.proudemployers.org.uk website featuring current job postings exclusively from Stonewall Diversity Champions. With the employer profiles in this online guide, you’ll be able to identify gay-friendly employers to support you in your chosen career path.
Starting Out is designed to offer hundreds of thousands of lesbian, gay and bisexual jobseekers the power to take their skills and talents to an employer that will really value them.
With very best wishes in your job search and in your future career from everyone at Stonewall.
