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Â鶹ƵµÀ Leicester (DMU) has been named one of the most inclusive employers in Britain by lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity Stonewall in its Top 100 Employers list for 2020.

DMU was placed 40th on this year’s list and it is the fifth year running that the university has been placed in the Top 100. This year’s Stonewall Top 100 was the largest ever with 503 employers entering, demonstrating their commitment to LGBT workplace inclusion.

As part of the Top 100, Stonewall collects more than 109,000 anonymous responses from employees on their experience of Britain’s workplace culture and diversity. This year, 81 per cent of LGBT employees who responded to the survey said they feel able to be themselves in the workplace.

Chris Hall, Head of Equality and Diversity at DMU, said: “Our fifth year in the top 100 is testament to DMU’s ongoing commitment to ensure an LGBTQ inclusive environment where all our staff and students are supported to be themselves to succeed.

“This year’s index saw us face fierce competition from more employers than ever. However, what I am most proud of is the feeling that you get when you come to our campus. You immediately know as an LGBTQ person that you will be welcomed and valued here at DMU, and that makes a difference to so many of our staff, students and visitors alike.”

DMU’s LGBTQ and Allies staff network, which gives a voice to staff, provides advice and feedback on campaigns and policies, was highly commended.

Dr TJ Moore, senior lecturer and co-chair of DMU’s LGBTQ+A staff group, said: “The news that DMU is in the top 100 employers goes to show the commitment that DMU has on equality and diversity with staff and students. DMU continues to support its staff in every sector.”

Diya Rattanpatal, equality and diversity executive at De Montfort Students’ Union, said: “Knowing that at DMU, everybody is accepted regardless of their sexuality is so important and sends such as strong message to the rest of the universities in the country.”

Stonewall’s 2018 Work Report revealed more than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) have hidden they are LGBT at work and almost one in five LGBT employees (18 per cent) have been the target of negative comments from colleagues because of their identity.

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Sanjay Sood-Smith, Stonewall’s Executive Director of Workplace & Community Programmes, said: “We are delighted to name Â鶹ƵµÀ as one of our Top 100 Employers this year.

“All the organisations in this year's Top 100 Employer's list are playing a huge role in improving the lives of LGBT people, and should be very proud of their work.

“We still don't live in a world where everyone is able to be themselves in the workplace, as we know more than a third of LGBT staff (35 per hide who they are at work. By taking steps to make their workplaces supportive and welcoming of all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, businesses like De Monfort University are bringing us closer to a world where everyone is accepted without exception.”

Stonewall’s Top 100 is compiled from submissions to the Workplace Equality Index, a powerful benchmarking tool used by employers to assess their achievements and progress on LGBT equality in the workplace, as well as their wider work in the community and on service provision.

Each organisation must demonstrate their expertise in 10 areas of employment policy and practice, including networking groups, senior leadership, procurement and how well they’ve engaged with LGBT communities.

To see the full list, click .