Reed Smith named in Stonewall Top 100 Employers

Reed Smith named in Stonewall Top 100 Employers Index and PRISM recognised as a ‘Highly Commended Network Group 2016’

Global law firm Reed Smith has been named in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers Index, the definitive list showcasing the best employers for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff in the UK.

The firm, which entered for the first time this year, is ranked at 72 in the index, and is one of only 12 law firms included in the Top 100.

Over 400 employers submitted entries to the 2016 index, the highest number since it first opened in 2005. As part of the submission, organisations must demonstrate their performance against a set of best practice criteria of 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.

In addition to the Top 100 Employers Index itself, each year Stonewall announces a list of highly commended network groups, recognising the sterling efforts of the top performing employee network groups across various industries. These are for those organisations in its Top 100 employers list that score 85 per cent or more in the section of the submission dealing with an organisation’s LGBT employee network. Stonewall has awarded Reed Smith’s LGBT Network, PRISM, the accolade of ‘Highly Commended Network Group 2016’.

Ruth Hunt, chief executive of Stonewall, said:

“Reed Smith and all of those employers that secured a place in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers Index 2016 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.”

A Stonewall Diversity Champion, and now a Stonewall ‘Highly Commended Network Group 2016’, 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 this year hosted a summer party with over 120 clients championing the need to promote an inclusive environment for LGBT employees.

Huw Morris and Alicia Millar, co-chairs of PRISM said:

“We are delighted to have been recognised by Stonewall as one of the 100 best employers for LGBT people in the UK. It is particularly pleasing to have entered the rankings on our first submission, which is a reflection of the hard work we have put in to create a friendly, supportive and respectful environment for all of our employees. Our PRISM network is going from strength to strength and we are absolutely thrilled that, in addition to our placing in the Top 100 Employers Index, PRISM has been recognised by Stonewall as a ‘Highly Commended Network Group 2016’. We look forward to building on this success in the coming years by developing our existing relationships and harnessing new partnerships.”

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