For the second year in a row, Asda remains the only one of Britain’s big four supermarkets to be recognised as an LGBT friendly employer in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list for 2017.
Now sitting in the top quartile of Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list, Asda has moved up an impressive 58 places since last year, in recognition of its work to engage with LGBT colleagues and create an inclusive culture throughout the organisation.
Over the past year, Asda’s LGBT steering group has helped to drive colleague and community engagement, taking part in more than 30 Pride events and sponsoring Sparkle – the UK’s biggest transgender pride event. In addition to this recent accolade, Asda also won ‘Employer of the Year’ at the British LGBT Awards and Sparkle’s ‘Transgender Organisation of the Year’ in 2016.
Asda’s increased presence on these diversity and inclusion lists is worthy recognition of the company’s efforts to become an inclusive employer, from the introduction and regular updates of policies, guidelines and improved training to regular colleague feedback, including focused listening groups.
Fundamentally however, this recognition is the result of Asda’s people’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive culture, whether it is participating in the training, suggesting an update to the Bullying and Harassment Guidelines to include examples of transphobia or simply being there for each and every colleague.
Hayley Tatum, Senior Vice President of People, at Asda, said: “At Asda, respect for the individual is one of our core values so diversity and inclusion is right at the heart of our business. We want every colleague to let their personality shine through so they can come to work and be themselves.
“We are proud to be included in Stonewall’s LGBT friendly employer list and to increase our ranking so significantly is an incredible achievement.
“But, we’re not complacent. Our LGBT steering group continues to play a vital role in driving forward our diversity and inclusion agenda, we are sharpening our approach to working with LGBT Pride events and we will continue to engage and support our colleagues in the local communities we serve.”
Stonewall Top 100 Employers is the definitive list showcasing the best employers for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual staff. The list is compiled from submissions to the workplace equality index, a powerful benchmarking tool used by employers to create inclusive workplaces. Now in its 13th year, the list celebrates the pioneering efforts of leading organisations to create inclusive workplaces.
Duncan Bradshaw, Director of Membership Programmes, Stonewall, said: “Asda and all those who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list have done a fantastic job, and really do put equality and inclusion at the forefront of their work. We were thrilled to have 439 submissions for this year’s Index, one of the most competitive yet, and I would like to thank each and every organisation that took part. With your continued efforts and hard work, we will continue to work toward a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff are welcomed and accepted without exception in their workplaces.”