Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has improved its ranking on the national Stonewall Workplace Equality Index by 50 places in the last 12 months. This puts the service at 253 out of 370 organisations across the country, marking a significant improvement on its first submission in 2010 when it achieved a position of 303 out of 350.

A spokesperson told FIRE that the news comes as a reward for the dedication and commitment of service staff at all levels in promoting equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) employees and people who use the service.

The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index asks a series of questions, and organisations have to provide clear evidence of how they provide a safe, inclusive environment and support LGB staff.

Examples used in the submission included sponsorship of Nottingham Pride, the implementation of the Joint Commitment on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality in the Workplace, sexual orientation training for all managers, ensuring two-way communication between the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) employee network and senior management, and equality training for all staff, which includes content on LGBT awareness.

"Stonewall has clearly recognised that the service and its employees have been working hard to cultivate an inclusive environment for all our staff," said John Buckley, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, and Chair of the NFRS Equalities Steering Group. "We have come a long way in the last couple of years and this is a really positive result for us that show we are taking significant steps towards becoming an excellent fire and rescue service."

 

Date posted: 02.02.11