To celebrate pride month this June, we wanted to share some graduate employers who are committed to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and showcase how they support LGBTQ+ employees.
The following employers appear on Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2022.
1. Clifford Chance LLP
Ranked in the top 10 largest law firms in the world, Clifford Chance typically hire 90-100 graduates every year according to the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers.
What are they doing to support LGBTQ+ employees?
The firm prides itself on its approachable and team ways of working. In 2015 they launched ‘Arcus Allies’ creating a space where LGBTQ+ employees will feel more supported and able to be themselves. Those within the network play an important role in encouraging and developing a more inclusive environment by asking LGBTQ+ colleague about their lives and speaking up to actively support for LGBTQ+ equality.
2. Sky
One of the largest media companies in the world, Sky hires over 170 graduates every year across different departments including Accounting, Consulting, Finance, Marketing and Technology.
What are they doing to support LGBTQ+ employees?
Sky continuously works hard to be an inclusive employer, always looking for new ideas and initiatives to do better.
Their LGBTQ+ network is made up of over 2,000 employees, with members a variety of both LGBTQ+ individuals and non-LGBTQ+ allies who are all committed to making Sky a more inclusive work place for everyone.
Offering guidance and advice for all LGBTQ+ employees, they also have dedicated champions that ensure their diversity agenda is communicated to all employees. Furthermore, they support over 10 national pride events every year.
3. Vodafone
Through their innovative technology, global tech leaders Vodafone are committed to transforming lives and businesses across the world. Every year they hire around 200 graduates across Finance, HR, Technology and Sales.
What are they doing to support LGBTQ+ employees?
Having conducted international research back in 2018, Vodafone found that 41% of 18-25 year olds went back in the closet when starting their first job’. Knowing that they wanted to act on their findings and ensure they were doing more and promoting an inclusive work culture. They have done so by launching LGBTQ+ inclusive language on their job adverts, introducing a global buddy programme for LGBTQ+ graduates and developing toolkits and training programmes for graduates, managers and leadership teams. In addition, they provide a learning programme which offers ally accreditation.
4. Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Impressively, whilst it’s still a family run business, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the largest global mobility provider in the world. Every year they hire over 800 graduates across their sales, retail and general management departments.
What are they doing to support LGBTQ+ employees?
One of their company values states: ‘Our doors are open. Ours is an inclusive environment. From employees to customers to business partners, we embrace the differences that make us successful and unique.’ They promote this through LGBTQ+ specific events as well as company wide diversity training. Moreover, they encourage all colleague to share their preferred pronouns in their email signature to normalise it for the LGBTQ+ community. As well as offering advice for graduates transitioning from university to the workplace, Enterprise also shares stories from LGBTQ+ colleagues across the company, from junior employees to those in leadership positions.