Cheshire Fire takes Gold and Silver in Stonewall Workplace Equality index

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is now the second most LGBT+ inclusive workplace in the UK according to Stonewall, which has just published its latest Top 100 employers list.

For the first time ever, the Service is the highest performing public sector organisation and is the top performing emergency service in the UK for the sixth year in a row.

The Service placed fourth overall in 2018 and third in 2019 and 2020. The charity’s influential equality index was suspended in 2021 owing to the pandemic.

And for the first time, this year Stonewall has also graded organisations with gold, silver and bronze standards in recognition of the quality of their inclusion work. The Service has been awarded gold and its LGBT staff network, Firepride, has received a Highly Commended Network accolade.

Chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, Cllr Bob Rudd, said the achievement was testament to the organisation’s consistent work around equality and inclusion: “Achieving this status signifies the commitment to ensuring we can meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve and that staff know they can be themselves at work, feeling safe and able to meet their full potential.

“This is reflected year-on-year with more staff feeling able to disclose their sexual orientation and gender identity at work. They can bring their whole selves to work each day and give their best to the people of Cheshire.”

The Stonewall Top 100 assesses organisations ranging from small local authorities to large private international businesses against robust criteria which include internal policy, leadership, staff networks, community engagement, training and service delivery.

Additional mention was made of the Service’s annual national Proud To Provide conference, the third one having been held recently, which attracts over 150 delegates from across the country each year. The 2020 conference was evidenced in the latest award, receiving particular accolade for its focus on LGBT+ intersectionality and multiple identities. Age, race, religion, sexuality and gender identity were covered by a panel of high profile guest speakers.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin explained: “By having a diverse workforce that is fully inclusive we are better prepared to meet all the needs of everyone in our communities. Additionally, by actively promoting LGBT+ inclusion, our recruitment catchment is vastly broadened as we strive to inspire people from all backgrounds to consider Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service as an employer. In our latest round of firefighter recruitment, more than 12% of applicants identified as LGBT+, more than double the number five years ago.

“I am immensely proud that our Service has achieved second position against such a broad range of establishments, recognising us as one of the UK’s most inclusive organisations.”  

Stonewall’s Head of Programmes, Liz Ward, added: “We spend so much of our time at work, and our career can be a huge part of how we define ourselves. Every single lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer person should be able to be themself at work. From understanding how HR policies, such as parental leave, will affect them, to being reassured that they can speak openly about their lives and partners at the coffee machine, the impact of inclusive workplaces can be life-changing.

 “It’s fantastic that Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has gained second place and a gold award for their efforts and commitment to creating an inclusive work environment, and we look forward to seeing and supporting the rest of their inclusion journey.”