Reed Smith named in Stonewall Top 100

Feb 24, 2017

Written By Jack J Collins, Editor of AllAboutLaw.co.uk

Global law firm Reed Smith have been included as part of Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2017 list, which is the the defining standard for the best employers of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff in the UK.

The firm is ranked at 75, gaining a place among the top 100 Employers list for the second year in a row. Reed Smith is one of only 17 law firms to be listed.

Over 430 employers submitted entries to the 2017 index, across the public, private and third sectors, the highest number since it was first compiled in 2005. As part of the submission, organisations must demonstrate their performance against a set of best practice criteria relating to employment policy and practice. These include training, employee network groups, career development, mentoring and community engagement. Furthermore, the submission is complemented by a staff feedback questionnaire covering key indicators of workplace culture.

Duncan Bradshaw, Stonewall’s Director of Membership Programmes, said: “Reed Smith 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.”

Reed Smith’s LGBT network, PRISM, is a visible champion for inclusion, diversity and LGBT engagement within and on behalf of the firm. Along with partnering on events with LGBT support and networking groups, Reed Smith and PRISM host an annual summer party with clients to champion the need to promote an inclusive environment for LGBT employees.

Huw Morris and Alicia Millar, co-chairs of PRISM, said: “We are thrilled to have been ranked again this year in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, as one of the 100 best employers for LGBT people in the UK. We are proud to be included in the 2017 Index alongside several of our key clients and to have achieved our goal of improving our score on last year.

"Our ranking is a reflection of our continued work in supporting our LGBT employees and ensuring a friendly, supportive and respectful environment for all of our employees. Our PRISM network is going from strength to strength and over the past year we have attracted new members (both LGBT and allies) not only in the UK, but also in our U.S. and European offices. We look forward to building on this success in the coming years by developing our existing relationships and harnessing new partnerships.”

This news follows on the back of a successful 2016 for the PRISM network with co-chairs Huw and Alicia each recognised for their commitment to the LGBT community. Huw received the Rising Star Under 40 award at the National LGBT Bar Association’s annual London Out & Proud Corporate Counsel event and Alicia was shortlisted as a Diversity Champion at the British LGBT Awards.

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