Related Articles
HSBC and Linklaters have faced a backlash from activists after cheering their places at the top of an equality leaderboard run by the controversial charity Stonewall.
Ian Stuart, the UK boss of Europe’s biggest bank, was criticised by Kate Harris, LGB Alliance co-founder, after he wrote on social media that HSBC was “incredibly proud” to come third on Stonewall’s flagship Top 100 Employers list.
The comments come amid growing concern about Stonewall’s influence over corporate HR policies and doubts over the scientific basis for its guidance on trans issues, with a number of companies distancing themselves from the organisation in recent years.
Ms Harris, who set up the LGB Alliance in 2019 on behalf of gay, lesbian and bisexual people who disagree with Stonewall’s stance on transgender issues, wrote under Mr Stuart’s post on Linkedin: “You are still proud to be associated with Stonewall? How embarrassing.”
Linklaters, the “magic circle” law firm which topped the list, faced a similar backlash when it posted a photo of staff celebrating the ranking on Linkedin.
Levi Pay, who previously worked as the Scottish Parliament’s first equalities manager and was also employed at Stonewall, wrote under the post: “I guess it becomes easier to achieve this sort of ‘win’ in a smaller and smaller pool, as more and more employers make clear they want nothing to do with Stonewall”.
Some of the big corporations that previously paid Stonewall a fee to vet their internal policies and rank them had said that they did not want to be included in this year’s rankings.
Tanya de Grunwald, who advises companies on HR issues, said she has noticed a “decrease in corporations” on the list this year.
She said: “It’s not just virtue signalling – with banks there are big benefits from having a higher ESG [environmental, social and governance] score, and their Stonewall ranking will boost that.”
Stonewall has previously come under fire over some of the advice it has given to organisations eager for a spot on its equality index, such as to replace the word mother with “parent who has given birth” to help boost their ranking.
The Welsh government, which appeared high on the list in 2020, deleted the term mother from its maternity policy in 2019.
Stonewall’s guidance on trans issues faced intense scrutiny earlier this year, after a damning review warning that there was a lack of established medical evidence for the use of puberty blockers to treat children who identify as trans.
HSBC and Linklaters declined to comment.
Kate Barker, chief executive of LGB Alliance, said: “Many LGB people are tired of businesses like HSBC using the rainbow as a form of political posturing: an easy, lazy and cost-free exercise in preaching to the converted.
“What’s particularly saddening is how corporate discussion about gay rights is dominated by grandstanding and finger-pointing, rather than tackling the issues that really matter to LGB people.”
A Stonewall spokesman said: “Implementing inclusive practices and policies is vital for employers who wish to attract and retain top LGBTQ+ talent.
“The Workplace Equality Index draws participants from diverse industries and sectors, all of whom understand that inclusivity is the future and are leading the way in this vital change.
“By championing LGBTQ+ employees, you are fostering a happy and motivated workforce and contributing to a UK where LGBTQ+ people can thrive as their true selves.”
Source link
