We are one of Stonewall's Top 100 Inclusive Employers!

15 July 2024

Dear Colleagues,

As many of you may be aware, the Council is a member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion Scheme.

Stonewall is Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer rights, and today, they launched their annual Top 100 Leading LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employers lists.

As Rob is taking a very well-deserved short break away, I am very pleased to share with you all that we have reached the top 100 list for the first time this year as one of only two Councils in Wales and one of seven Councils in the UK. 

This is a significant achievement for us. We now join a number of top construction, legal, health, finance, and education organisations across the UK who are recognised for our exceptional commitment to supporting our LGBTQ+ staff and customers / residents.   

Over the past year, we have taken further significant strides towards creating an inclusive working environment, including championing LGBTQ+ colleagues, celebrating local pride events, and our continued support and promotion of our LGBTQ+ staff network, GLAM.  

According to a report published by Stonewall in 2018, more than a third of LGBT staff in the UK have hidden who they are at work for fear of discrimination. This means that many LGBTQ+ people often feel that they have limited options when applying for jobs, or that the work culture isn’t for them when they do land a job.  

As a Council, we have made strong progress when it comes to ensuring that the Vale is a safe and welcoming environment for people to both live and work. I know people perform their best when they are in an environment where they feel comfortable being their full self, and for LGBTQ+ people, that means not hiding who you are or who you love, whilst at work.

I work closely with colleagues from each of the Council’s diversity networks and am the SLT Member Champion for the GLAM Network. When I caught up with Lee Boyland who is Chair of the GLAM network, he shared his thoughts with me about this exciting news: “I am so proud of us for making it onto Stonewall’s top 100 list.  

“I have worked for companies where there was no LGBTQ+ network or support – so for me, it’s such an incredible thing to be able to come to work and not hide who I am from my colleagues and to know that there is that support there. 

“GLAM has achieved a huge amount in terms of giving LGBT staff a voice. To 

lead a network of people who are passionate about making positive changes in our organisation for current and future generations of LGBT staff is both a career and personal highlight for me.” 

I would like to second Lee’s sentiments. We are an organisation based around our four key values – ambitious, open, together and proud. It is with these values in which we operate as a united workforce, working for the best interests of our residents and supporting the Vale as a place of sanctuary for everyone. ‘Team Vale’ matters no matter your background and indeed is stronger for our different stories. 

Inclusivity is so important in fostering a happy and motivated workplace, and I am so fortunate to work for an organisation where everyone can thrive as their true selves.  

I am so proud of this achievement and must thank each and every one of you for helping make this one of the most inclusive workplaces in the UK. There is more to do, and we are committed to continuing this work for all our colleagues and residents. But now it’s time to celebrate -  

Llongyfarchiadau i chi i gyd – congratulations to you all!

Tom