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Citizens Advice scores high as gay-friendly employer

9 January 2008

Citizens Advice has become the second highest scoring charity in Britain’s top 100 employers for lesbian and gay people. In Stonewall’s 2008 Workplace Equality Index published today, Citizens Advice leapt 16 places from its position last year and is now in the top 25 employers at number 24.

The top 100 employers are ranked according to a wide range of criteria which includes implementing good employment practices, effective equality policies, strong support for their lesbian and gay network groups and how they engage with lesbian and gay staff and users of their service.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive David Harker said:

“We feel very proud that our efforts are being recognised and the hard work of staff is being rewarded. In two years we have jumped 40 places to reach position 24 and become the second highest gay-friendly charity. It’s a remarkable achievement and sends out a clear message that Citizens Advice is committed to supporting lesbian and gay people in the workplace.”

Co-chair of Citizens Advice National Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Group Dawn Draper, said:

“Our network group has been very active within Citizens Advice for over 20 years now and has a very high profile within the organisation. We have seen a lot of changes from those early days and Citizens Advice given us a huge amount of support.”

Citizens Advice scored 85% to be placed in the top 100 gay-friendly employers and many of the 1.7 million lesbian and gay people in the UK workforce use Stonewall’s index to see how employers score and compare with others. Participating in the Workplace equality Index has encouraged Citizens Advice to look at best practice and develop quality policies and support that work well and appeal to lesbian and gay people.

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see New windowwww.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2010 to March 2011. For full 2010/2011 service statistics see: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_statistics
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable. (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.