JLL is first property adviser in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers

JLL has become the first real estate agency to gain a spot on Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list for LGBT staff in the UK. The agency is listed as 64th on the LGBT charity’s annual index of inclusive employers, rising by 88 places. Stonewall received submissions from 445 employers for its latest list. As part of the rankings, the campaign group gathered more than 92,000 anonymous employee responses. JLL UK executive board member Ollie Saunders, who is openly gay, said: “We are thrilled to be the first real estate adviser to make the Top 100 and to be ranked alongside other leading organisations who we admire. “Rising 88 places since last year is a fantastic achievement and something that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of so many who have worked hard to embed equality across our business. “Creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves, irrespective of their sexuality, gender, race or social background, is something we are passionate about and we want to continue to drive progress, within JLL and across the whole of the real estate industry.” JLL set up its LGBT+ employee network Building Pride five years ago, which formed the basis for several other internal networks dedicated to diversity. In the past year, the agency’s activities included supporting National Coming Out Day across its global offices, the launch of a Transitioning in the Workplace company policy, and marching in London Pride with LGBT real estate network Freehold for the third year running. JLL has also participated in careers event AuthentiCity, created exclusively for LGBT+ undergraduates and graduates, since it was created three years ago. ‘We cannot stand still’ Chris Ireland, chief executive of JLL UK, said: “We have a clear ambition. We want to build a diverse and inclusive business with a working environment that inspires and supports everyone to be the very best they can be. “Over the past four years we have moved up 303 places in the index, but we cannot and do not want to stand still.” Ireland added: “This year we plan to extend our LGBT community work, engage further with clients and suppliers to drive the LGBT+ inclusion agenda, and to further extend our allies programme across more of our offices.” Darren Towers, executive director of Stonewall, said: “More than a third of LGBT staff (35%) still hide their identity at work for fear of discrimination. That has an impact on productivity, wellbeing and more, and shows we still have lots to do. “However, with organisations like JLL displaying such a strong commitment to LGBT equality, we are one step closer to creating a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception.” Stonewall’s Top 100 is compiled from submissions to its Workplace Equality Index, a 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 is required to outline its involvement in 10 areas of employment policy and practice, including networking groups, senior leadership, procurement and how well they’ve engaged with LGBT communities. To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette