Scottish Fire and Rescue Service wins LGBT equality and diversity award

The Equality Index is the definitive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in the workplace.

Liz Barnes, Director of People and Organisational Development at SFRS said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for SFRS – especially when you consider the unprecedented challenges the Service has faced during the pandemic. Attaining Bronze status is recognition of our progress to make the workplace more inclusive and diverse, ensuring all colleagues are able to be their authentic selves.”

Sasha Misra, Associate Director of Communications and Campaigns at Stonewall, said:

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service really stood out as an employer who is committed to creating a workplace where all LGBTQ+ employees can bring their full selves to work. Their consistent efforts to become a more inclusive workplace is incredibly important in helping their LGBTQ+ staff feel safe and free.”

To achieve the award, organisations must meet a robust set of criteria, including having an LGBT+ employee network group and clear policies on discrimination, bullying and harassment at work.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service award winning initiatives include:

• Removing gendered language from all SFRS polices
• Delivering LGBT Specific training to SFRS’s Procurement Section, Senior Leadership Team and Heads of Service
• Creating two Equality Champions in the Service
• Ensuring recruitment pages online are LGBT inclusive and the Service holds Positive Action Recruitment Events
• Formalising SFRS’s LGBT+ Employee Network
• Making the rainbow logo a friendly and familiar sight on email signatures, and lanyards as well as regularly flying the Rainbow flag from Service Delivery HQs.

“Our work doesn’t stop here,” Liz Barnes concluded, “we’re already setting our sights on attaining silver, or even gold status, in the near future.”