GLEN’s ‘Workplace Equality Index’ (WEI) for 2016 is now open for applications, with it aiming to highlight businesses across Ireland that promote inclusiveness and diversity in the workplace.
The first Workplace Equality Index Report, compiled from information received in entries for last year’s inaugural WEI, was launched this morning (26 January) at an event in the Westbury Hotel in Dublin.
The Report contains further details on findings in the areas of policies, practice and leadership from last year’s WEI.
Taking in companies that employ more than 40,000 people in Ireland, GLEN’s WEI is billed as “a litmus test” for business culture, with employers recognised for pioneering inclusive workplaces.
EY came out top of the charts last year, with IBM, Accenture, Deutsche Bank and Microsoft rounding out the top five.
“More and more employees choose to work for companies that reflect their values,” said Kieran Rose, co-chair at GLEN. “We’ve seen in the marriage referendum how equality for LGBT people is a core Irish value.”
EY’s Catherine Vaughan was at the launch of the report and she said “it’s great to celebrate the success” from 2015, but noted the need to identify improvements that can be made throughout the organisation this year.
“One of the lessons for us from the WEI is how we can improve support to our transgender employees,” she said.
Last year, Margot Slattery, MD at Sodexo, was honoured as the Senior Leader of the Year, with EY’s Mike McKerr (Ally of the Year) and Catherine Vaughan (LGBT Inclusion Champion of the Year) also celebrated.
The private sector was ahead of the public sector in supporting LGBT employees, according to the Report, with An Garda Síochána’s John Barrett in attendance saying the report is “a critical step” to help businesses have a frank conversation about these issues.
“We view our annual participation as an opportunity to drive change and ensure every LGBT member of An Garda Síochána feels they can bring their whole self to work,” he said.
The vast majority of participating employers (93pc) made a commitment to being LGBT-inclusive, many had senior LGBT role models (70pc) and more than half (60pc) have an LGBT network.
Only one in five employers have gender transition guidelines for staff and managers.
Applications for inclusion on the 2016 WEI are welcomed here.
Office image via Shutterstock
Updated 10am, 26 January 2016: This article was amended to include more details from the 2015 report and to state that applications are open for this year.
