Rhondda
Cynon Taf Council
is thrilled this year to have been announced
as a Top 100 Employer in Stonewalls 2016
Workplace Equality Index. The Council, who
is also a Stonewall Diversity Champion, is now
ranked 78th in the UK index.
The support of senior management and
elected members has helped build an
inclusive environment throughout the entire
organisation, to the extent that being LGBT
inclusive is embedded in everything we do, and
as a result, our work has now been recognised
on a national level as an example of how an
LGBT friendly workplace should operate.
Rhondda Cynon Taf is proud of its outstanding
natural environment and strong, unique
cultural heritage. Local people are renowned
for the way in which they welcome visitors
and their strong sense of community, founded
on help for those in need and respect for the
individual, and these community values have
informed the Council’s organisational values.
As the biggest local employer, the Council
employs over 10,000 staff. The Council
believes everyone should have the opportunity
to work for them, with a workforce to
reflect the diversity of Rhondda Cynon Taf
communities so that the Council can benefit
from the skills, knowledge and experience
within those communities.
Cllr Geraint Hopkins, Rhondda Cynon Taf
Council’s
Cabinet Member
for Children’s Social Services,
Equality and the Welsh Language said: “We
are proud to be flying the flag for not only
Rhondda Cynon Taf, but Wales and the UK
thanks to our success and improvement in
Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.
“To progress from 336th position to 78th in
just two years is testament to the exceptional
work that has taken place across the county
borough by the Council and its partners.
“From training and awareness to bespoke
support for staff, there are a range of innovative
measures that have led to this year’s ranking,
which is based on assessment of the workplace
culture, as well as feedback from staff.
“As Stonewall Diversity Champions, we will
continue to deliver and improve, and hope
that next year this will be reflected not only by
a continued rise up the rankings but also by the
way our staff feel in the workplace.”
The Council’s initiatives that has been
recognised in the index, include the setting
up of a Staff LGBT network, the launch
of a Council Allies network, high profile
internal support of Stonewall campaigns
such as ‘#NoBystanders’ and ‘Rainbow Laces’
and extensive staff training in tackling
homophobic, biphobic and transphobic
bullying.
We have prioritised engaging directly with the
LGBT Community to inform our services by
Rhondda Cynon Taf council
announced as a Stonewall top
100 employer
spring 2015
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