National Assembly for Wales

Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme for Employers

The National Assembly for Wales is a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme for Employers - a good practice forum for sexual orientation issues in the workplace. Stonewall is Britain’s leading gay equality organisation, and we are working with them and other members of the programme to improve the working environment for our lesbian, gay, and bisexual staff. I am delighted that we are doing this as I want a workplace and culture in which all our employees feel valued and can fulfil their maximum potential.

As a member of the Diversity Champions Programme, I hope we will send a strong signal to our lesbian, gay and bisexual staff, providing reassurance that their contribution is valued and their sexual orientation respected in a positive working environment.

I also hope that others outside our organisation will see our firm commitment to equality as a positive reason to engage with us. Please find out more about Diversity Champions and Stonewall by looking at their website:

www.stonewall.org.uk/workplace

Claire Clancy

Chief Executive and Clerk to the National Assembly for Wales

Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme – What it means to me…

As an ‘out’ gay man, I think it is important that our organisation is a member of the Diversity Champions Programme for a number of reasons. I am assured that our organisation supports and empowers its staff and is also committed to tackling harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Engaging in the Programme also sends a positive message to LGB staff, those who use our services and potential employees.

I am really pleased that we have achieved Diversity Champion status, which enables us to network and share best practice with other leading employers. Employers can share information as to how they can support and empower their staff. Also, there are the opportunities to attend tailor-made programmes giving LGB staff the opportunity to realise their own potential, challenge their own preconceptions and enable them to learn from the perspectives of other participants.  

I encourage colleagues to take some time at their convenience, to access Stonewall’s website and see how the Diversity Champions Programme can benefit our workplace.

Craig Stephenson

Head of Corporate Unit

Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index

The National Assembly for Wales is one of the UK’s top 100 gay-friendly employers, according to Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2009.

The Index is the definitive national benchmarking exercise showcasing Britain’s top employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

The National Assembly’s achievement is notable as its inclusion at no 73 in the Index marks it as Wales’ ‘most-improved employer’ in terms of being a gay-friendly place to work. It was also the second ‘most-improved’ employer nationally.

Claire Clancy, Chief Executive and Clerk to the Assembly said: “I am exceptionally proud that the National Assembly has made such significant progress in Stonewall’s Equality Index. It shows that we are fully committed to providing a workplace where all our staff feel valued and supported.”

Liz Morgan, Director of Stonewall Cymru said: “The National Assembly for Wales’ entry in Stonewall’s Top 100 employers reflects their commitment to building an inclusive working environment for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual staff.

“They are also the most improved Welsh Employer in the 2009 Workplace Equality Index, which shows the hard work and improvements made in the last year. I hope other organisations in Wales will follow The Assembly’s example in working with Stonewall Cymru and the Diversity Champions programme.”

LGBT Staff Network

We have a very active LGBT Staff Network which offers support and mentoring for LGBT members of staff, both those who have disclosed their sexual orientation in the workplace and those who are yet to do so.  The Network exists to:

  • Promote a safe, inclusive and diverse working environment
  • Support LGBT staff
  • Advise the National Assembly for Wales Commission on issues which affect LGBT staff e.g. through impact assessing policies.
  • Provide a confidential social network which promotes inclusivity and encourages participation from its members

Further information on the Network is available from Craig.Stephenson@wales.gsi.gov.uk and Denise.Rogers@wales.gsi.gov.uk