University achieves highest ever Stonewall ranking

Thursday, 19 January 2017

University Stonewall targets for the next five years.

The University has achieved its highest ever ranking in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI) 2017.

In rankings announced today, we were placed 168 out of the 440 institutions which applied to be considered for the index. This is a major improvement on our position in 2016, when the University was ranked 204 out of 415 institutions.

The Workplace Equality Index is a benchmarking tool used by employers to help ensure that all LGBT+ staff can be themselves in the workplace. Participating employers have to demonstrate their work in 10 different areas of employment policy and practice, including training and community engagement. In addition, the staff from each participating organisation complete an anonymous survey relating to their experiences at work.

The 2017 rankings put the University in the top 40% of the organisations which are part of the index.

Simon Chandler-Wilde, the Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, said he was heartened by these results. “The University wants to be in the top 50 of the Workplace Equality Index by 2020,” he said. “This is a challenging target, but the results provide a great platform and strong encouragement to push ahead and realise this goal”.

To be placed in the top 100 of this year’s ranking, an institution had to score 125 out 200 points. The University score is 102, which is an improvement of 24 points from last year.

The increase in score reflects a more coordinated and focused effort across the University – including closer working relationship with our LGBT+ network, stronger staff and community engagement through the recruitment and training of LGBT Allies, Role Models and Leaders. We have also participated in Reading’s Pride parade and improved monitoring and anonymous declaration rates related to sexual orientation.

The University’s LGBT Plus network, co-chaired by Deb Heighes and Calvin Smith, played a very important role in shaping our submission. Deb and Calvin agreed “It’s a great, positive step towards making the University a more inclusive place for LGBT+ staff and students. We are really pleased that the University continues to strongly engage with the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index.”

A larger version of the diagram featured within this story is available here. 

For further information about the University's engagement with Stonewall, see this recent blog post by Simon Chandler-Wilde.