Macquarie Group jumps into Stonewall’s top 100 employer list

Macquarie Group has been named a top 100 employer in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2016.

The Index, an annual audit of workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) staff, is a tool that helps organisations measure performance and progress on LGBT equality. Rankings are based on policy, staff engagement and career development.

Jumping from ranking 319 in 2015 to 93 in 2016, Macquarie has demonstrated its commitment to diversity through inclusive programmes and events, senior leader sponsorship and resources aimed to educate and support LGBT employees and their colleagues in the workplace. Macquarie also works with other financial services organisations to promote and share LGBT equality best practice, learning from and contributing to the broader community.

In sector rankings, Macquarie came seventh in the banking group which is made up of 36 companies this year. Over 400 employers submitted entries to the 2016 Index in total, the highest number since the Index first launched in 2005.

David Fass, Macquarie Group Chief Executive, EMEA, said: "Creating an inclusive and diverse environment where our people bring their whole selves to work is paramount. Our education and awareness programmes and peer networks provide a positive workplace where staff have access to the support and resources they need. We are proud to have been named in Stonewall’s top 100 employer list and we continue to promote equality and inclusion for all."

Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive, Stonewall said: "Macquarie Group and all of those employers that secured a place in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2016 list performed fantastically this year. We have had more submissions than ever before and so making the list is a huge achievement. I’d like to thank all of those organisations for their continued efforts to ensure that their lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work and are accepted without exception."

About the Workplace Equality Index

Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers is the definitive list showcasing the best employers for lesbian, gay and bi 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 twelfth year, the list celebrates the pioneering efforts of leading organisations to create inclusive workplaces.

The Workplace Equality Index is free to enter for any employer, and in 2015 attracted the highest number of entries since the Index first opened in 2005. Each entrant compiles a submission demonstrating their organisation’s performance against a set of best practice criteria. Entrants must supply supporting evidence where necessary to prove that this work is underway.

The criteria explore 10 areas of employment policy and practice:

• Employee policy
• Training
• Employee network group
• All-staff engagement
• Career development
• Line managers
• Monitoring
• Procurement
• Community engagement
• Additional work

To supplement evidence submitted by employers, Stonewall also seeks feedback directly from the entrants’ staff. The feedback is sent direct to Stonewall and is anonymous. This year Stonewall received 60,506 responses to the staff survey, making it one of the largest national employment surveys in Britain.