Stonewall names USW one of Britain’s most LGBT-inclusive employers

The University of South Wales (USW) is celebrating a double success in this year’s list of top employers put together by lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity Stonewall.

As well as recording a rise of 19 places to 24th in the 2020 Workplace Equality Index, USW has also been named as a Top Trans Employer.

More organisations than ever before – a total of 502 - submitted an entry for the Top 100 Employers list, which has seen USW improve its placing from 301st when first included in 2017, to 104th in 2018, 43rd last year, and up to 24th in 2020 - a rise of 277 places in just three years.

Being named as a Top Trans Employer is also a special privilege, with USW being one of just 20 institutions to receive the honour.

USW Vice-Chancellor Professor Julie Lydon said: “I am delighted that USW has ranked 24th in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index for 2020.

“For the fourth year running USW can celebrate its exceptional commitment to furthering LGBT+ equality with another fantastic increase. I am so proud of those at USW who have helped to highlight what we do so well and it really is a team effort from a wide range of our employees who make such a difference for those who work here.

“In particular, I’d like to thank our LGBT+ staff network, role models, and allies who all go above and beyond in so many ways.

“We have ambitions to do even more in the future to welcome the staff and students of tomorrow, working together to achieve our aim of making USW an inclusive workplace environment that supports diversity in all its forms.”

Rhi Kemp, CTA Placements Co-ordinator in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education and USW’s Trans Role Model, said the University’s placing was “incredible”:

“I feel so proud and fortunate to be working with a team in this university who care about making our working environment better for our LGBT+ colleagues,” Rhi said.

“What is quite special is the fact that we have been awarded a Top Trans Employer award. I know I am not the only trans member of staff here, so I hope that any other staff member that does need to come out or express their gender identity at work can now see that this should be a place where they feel able to express their gender identity safely.

“I personally hope that it will encourage more trans people to come out and be a more active part of the LGBT+ group.

“I have delivered trans awareness training to a lot of colleagues and students over the last year and it is heartwarming to see that the biggest issue that comes up is that my colleagues don't want to say the wrong thing: if this is our main concern, we are already winning.”