Sheffield Teaching Hospitals (STH) is now regarded as one of the best employers for its commitment towards LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace, according to the 2024 Stonewall Top 100 employers.
The Trust was ranked 20th out of the 246 employers who entered – improving on its rank of 67th in 2023 and retaining the Gold Award for the third year running.
Stonewall is the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi, and trans equality and aims to create a world where every lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) person is free to be themselves – wherever they are.
Kirsten Major, Chief Executive of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are delighted that we have not only retained our Stonewall Gold Award but now rank in the top 20 UK employers for our ongoing work to ensure that our LGBTQ+ colleagues feel valued, respected and that they have a voice and can be themselves in work. Underpinning all that we do are our PROUD values and behaviours which include respect and unity.
“Our LGBTQ+ Staff network and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team have worked so hard to bring to life the commitments we as an organisation have made to ensure all 19,000 of our colleagues have a positive workplace experience and can be their true selves. We have invested our time and energy in education and training from Board to ward level to spread awareness and understanding and I am delighted that this has been recognised with the Gold award.”
Rachel Salmon, Senior Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at STH, was also named as one of Stonewall’s 2024 ‘Changemakers’ for her individual efforts to support equality and inclusion in the workplace. She said:
“I’m proud and humbled to have been chosen as one of Stonewall’s Changemakers this year, for an area of work that I am passionate about and want to make a difference in. Working together with the LGBTQ+ Network and EDI Team we have started to make changes and be more inclusive for our staff and for our communities, but we know that we still have work to do.
“As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, this award represents the pride I feel personally and I am grateful that I am celebrated for being ‘me’ here at STH. I’ll continue to engage in this work to play a part in creating a society that is truly inclusive for all marginalised groups.”
Colin Macfarlane, Director of Programmes and Income at Stonewall (he/him) said:
“Implementing inclusive practices and policies is vital for employers who wish to attract and retain top LGBTQ+ talent. The Workplace Equality Index draws participants from diverse industries and sectors, all of whom understand that inclusivity is the future and are leading the way in this vital change.