Heartbeat: Seeking your views about LGBT equality in our workplace

August 14, 2018

Colleagues are being urged to take a few minutes to complete a survey to gain a snap shot of how we all feel about LGBT equality and help our organisation make changes to improve our inclusive culture.

Our Trust became a member of Stonewall (an organisation that campaigns for the equality of LGBT people) almost two years ago. As part of our membership we take part in the Workplace Equality Index.

Heartbeat caught up with Stuart Young, Head of Equality and Inclusion and Chair of the LGBT Staff Network who explained more.

“I would encourage everyone to take part in this survey as it reflects the views of all colleagues regardless of whether they identify as LGBT or not. As members of Stonewall, our aim is to rank highly on the Stonewall Equality Index and the survey responses will go to our overall score.

“We joined Stonewall to demonstrate our commitment to LGBT issues. It provides a platform to benchmark ourselves against other organisations. We want to become the employer of choice for people who want to work and thrive in an inclusive organisation.

“It is really important to the Board that all colleagues are able to bring their whole selves to work and feel comfortable and confident to speak up and raise concerns.”

So what have been the benefits of being a member of Stonewall?

“There have been many,” says Stuart. “We have access to a dedicated advisor who has helped us develop a transsexual policy for colleagues and patients. We have also had support to review the equal opportunities policy.

“And some LGBT colleagues have benefitted from role model training which encourages them to be empowered and put themselves forward as champions for LGBT issues.”

The survey is completely anonymous and is available online until Friday 2 November. Please take a few minutes to give your feedback www.stonewall.org.uk/index-survey-2019  our unique four digit code for survey is 2089.