Pinsent Masons has been named the UK's best employer for LGBT people in 2019, according to Stonewall's Top 100 Employers List.
In its fifteenth year, the list compiles the top employers who're leading the way in making their workplace more LGBT-inclusive. Using a Workplace Equality Index, participating employers are asked to demonstrate their work in 10 areas of employment policy and practice as well as complete a staff survey about their experiences of diversity and inclusion at work.
International law firm Pinsent Masons topped the list this year, after coming 2nd in 2017 and 2018. As well as introducing training for its HR department to remove barriers to employment for trans individuals, Pinsent Masons has an active LGBT network group where employees can receive support and mentoring.
A record 445 employers submitted to the Workplace Equality Index this year, with over 92,000 employees surveyed.
Across all the employers involved, an encouraging 83% of lesbian, gay and bi employees and 65% of trans employees feel they are able to be themselves in the workplace. There's still work to be done however - 42% of lesbian, gay and bi employees and 28% of trans employees stated that they'd experienced negative comments or conduct from colleagues at work because of their sexual orientation.
Here are the top 10 most LGBT-inclusive employers in the UK for 2019. You can find the full list of 100, here.
1. Pinsent Masons
2. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
3. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
4. MI5
=5. National Assembly for Wales
=5. Newcastle City Council
7. Lloyds Banking Group
8. Welsh Government
9. Citi
10. Baker McKenzie