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Citizens Advice places 21st in Stonewall’s top 100 employers 2011

13 January 2011

National charity Citizens Advice is today celebrating being named as one of the top 25 Employers in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, with a ranking of 21. It has also been named the top performing charity in the index this year.

The index is the definitive national benchmarking exercise showcasing Britain’s top employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) staff and is now in its seventh year. Citizens Advice has appeared in the top 100 every year since it started in 2005 despite increased competition - this year Stonewall received 378 submissions from employers representing 25 different industries; 58 per cent more than 2008.

As well as an increase in the number of submissions, the criteria has got tougher. Organisations are marked on a range of factors and scored out of 200, with the minimum score required to appear in the top 100 rising from 133/200 last year to 146/200 in 2011. Citizens Advice scored 172/200 and has moved up 67 places from 2010.

Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Gillian Guy said:

“Citizens Advice has again been named as one of the Top 100 Employers for LGB people and this year we saw our ranking increase significantly to 21. Our position in the top 25 reflects the evidence we have shown Stonewall of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment for all of our staff. We recognise the clear business and individual benefits of creating a workplace where diversity is celebrated.

“We are also committed to making the Citizens Advice service accessible to clients from all parts of the communities we serve. We provide free, impartial and confidential advice to everyone in society, and lesbian, gay and bisexual people should feel confident in approaching their local Citizens Advice Bureau should they need advice on the issues that affect them.”

In addition to its high ranking in the Top 100, the charities National Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Group (NLGBG) has also been awarded ‘star performer’ status by Stonewall, which recognises high performing employee network groups.

Andy Suckley, co-Chair of the Citizens Advice service's LGB group said:

“We are absolutely delighted with to be awarded star performer status as well as receiving such a high ranking in the index. Citizens Advice continually strives to be at the forefront of best practice when it comes to equality and diversity. This ranges from being quick to amend policies and procedures in light of the recent Equality Act, to encouraging staff to be themselves in the workplace. LGB issues and activities are communicated to all staff in order to promote inclusivity. We also promote the service to everyone in the communities we serve, including by having a big staff presence every year at Pride events across the country.”

The Stonewall Top 100 Employers were announced yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 12 January.

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice National Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Group (NLGBG) was formed in 1987. The aims of the group are;
    • to ensure that LGB issues influence and inform all debates within the Service
    • to challenge prejudice and discrimination and raise awareness of LGB issues
    • to provide support and a voice for LGB people within the Service.
  2. 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
  3. 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 www.adviceguide.org.uk
  4. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2009 to March 2010, an 18% increase on the previous year. For full 2009/2010 service statistics see: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_20100517
  5. 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).
  6. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.
  7. You can get details for your nearest CAB by texting CAB followed by your postcode (making sure that there is a space between the two) to 64446 This will return the address and phone number of your local bureau along with a link to Adviceguide.