WIREDGOV

The National Crime Agency has risen five places in the sexual equality charity Stonewall’s list of top 100 employers

The agency improved on last year’s 91st place to be ranked 86th in the 2017 Stonewall workplace equality index - an annual audit of workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff.

More than 430 employers from across the public, private and third sectors submitted entries.

To be considered by Stonewall, organisations have to satisfy 10 criteria to show they are LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans) inclusive in all areas of employment, including career development and training.

The benchmarking exercise for the equality index, led by the NCA’s Sexual Orientation Network and Resource (SONAR) group, helps the agency to highlight areas of good practice and identify where we can improve.

SONAR is also celebrating another Stonewall success – the group has been awarded the Highly Commended Network Group Award for its work.

Director general Lynne Owens said: “It matters to me that the NCA provides a working environment which recognises and celebrates difference.

“A diverse workforce makes us all better at what we do.

“I am delighted that the NCA features in the Stonewall index for a second year and that we have risen five places.

“The rise in ranking reflects our efforts to foster an inclusive culture where everyone is treated equally and fairly at work.

“We don’t see this as a completed task however, and will continue to invest effort and energy to improve further.

“We value the support of all our staff associations in this regard and, in the context of this award, I am delighted to see that SONAR have been highly commended.”

Duncan Bradshaw, director of membership programmes at Stonewall said: “The NCA 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.”