Law Firm Climbs 73 Places Up LGBT Charity’s Annual Index

Irwin Mitchell has been named one of the most inclusive employers in Britain by lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) equality charity Stonewall in its Top 100 Employers list for 2020. Irwin Mitchell has placed 74th on this year’s list, climbing 73 places from last year’s list.

This year’s Top 100 was the largest ever with 503 employers entering, demonstrating their commitment to LGBT workplace inclusion.

In addition to placing on the list, the firm also received recognition for a Highly Commended LGBT+ networking group.

As part of the Top 100, Stonewall collects more than 109,000 anonymous responses from employees on their experience of Britain’s workplace culture and diversity. This year, 81 per cent of LGBT employees who responded to the survey said they feel able to be themselves in the workplace.

Expert Opinion

“We’re delighted with this news as it is reflective of the great work taking place across our business to make sure colleagues are valued for who they are and what they bring. Being a diverse and inclusive firm means we are able to better support each other, provide a better service for our clients and lead the way for others to follow in our communities.” Andrew Tucker - CEO

Stonewall’s 2018 Work Report revealed more than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) have hidden they are LGBT at work and almost one in five LGBT employees (18 per cent) have been the target of negative comments from colleagues because of their identity.

Sanjay Sood-Smith, Stonewall’s Executive Director of Workplace & Community Programmes, said: “We are delighted to name Irwin Mitchell as one of our Top 100 Employers this year. All the organisations in this year's Top 100 Employer's list are playing a huge role in improving the lives of LGBT people, and should be very proud of their work.

“We still don't live in a world where everyone is able to be themselves in the workplace, as we know more than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) hide who they are at work. By taking steps to make their workplaces supportive and welcoming of all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, businesses like Irwin Mitchell are bringing us closer to a world where everyone is accepted without exception.”

Stonewall’s Top 100 is compiled from submissions to the Workplace Equality Index, a powerful benchmarking tool used by employers to assess their achievements and progress on LGBT equality in the workplace, as well as their wider work in the community and on service provision.>

Each organisation must demonstrate their expertise in 10 areas of employment policy and practice, including networking groups, senior leadership, procurement and how well they’ve engaged with LGBT communities.

See the full Stonewall Top 100

Find out what it’s like to be an LGBT colleague working at Irwin Mitchell