Prime employer The University of Sheffield has been recognised as a Stonewall Top 100 employer for LGBT+ workplace equality for the seventh year running.
The university reached 11th place in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, receiving its highest ever ranking. The news recognises the employer's continued dedication to workplace equality.
An inclusive environment for staff and students
The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index is a definitive benchmarking tool that helps employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in the workplace.
The University of Sheffield is passionate about developing an inclusive work environment where LGBT+ staff and students feel able to be themselves and can reach their full potential.
The university has conducted a systematic review of its policies, which has resulted in a number of recommended amendments to the adoption, maternity, paternity/partner and shared parental leave policies to remove any gendered terms, and clarify that policies are inclusive of same sex couples, regardless of gender.
The university has developed guidance for LGBT+ students and staff studying and working abroad, has enhanced local community engagement, and the Open@TUoS allies programme has continued to go from strength to strength, with over 2,800 supporters.
Open@TUoS was developed with the LGBT+ Staff Network and aims to empower all staff to help create an open, inclusive environment for LGBT+ colleagues and students at the University. Supporters do this by sharing information, encouraging people to take part in LGBT+ events and training and by encouraging staff to actively and visibly support LGBT+ inclusion.
To build on its progress so far, the university will continue to work in partnership with staff, students and allies to further progress LGBT+ inclusion and continue to make improvements to its workplace.
Professor Gill Valentine is Senior Champion of the Year
In addition, the Stonewall Regional Awards for Yorkshire and the Humber named the University of Sheffield as Employer of the Year and Professor Gill Valentine, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield and the university’s Senior LGBT+ Champion, has been named Senior Champion of the Year.
“Recognition from Stonewall is testament to our dedication to bring about culture change and develop a truly inclusive university where LGBT+ colleagues and students feel they belong, are supported to be themselves and can flourish to reach their potential," said Professor Valentine.
“I am honoured and humbled to have been named Senior Champion of the Year and I will continue to champion equality and diversity. I came out at a time when being openly gay was taboo. I experienced discrimination and harassment in the early stages of my career which I overcame in part through the support of straight allies. That’s why I’m passionate about developing an inclusive work environment. Over the past 30 years or so there has been real and positive change in relation to equality and diversity in the workplace and our university has been at the forefront of many innovative initiatives.”
Join inclusive employer, the University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield welcomes talented employees from a diverse variety of backgrounds.
If you want to work at a leading university recognised for LGBT+ inclusion, search and apply for jobs today.
Find out more
Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.