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Inspiring Careers for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students REAL.WORLD.PINKS.indd 1
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Mission: to do something I've never done before Graduate Careers in Audit
Everyone has their own missions in life. At the Audit Commission, ours is simple: to make sure that public money – all £200 billion of it – is well spent. So as far as missions go, ours is a very big and very important one. It's also incredibly diverse, taking in everything from local government to health to criminal justice. Vital work, we think you'll agree. Having doubled the number of graduate places on offer, we're busy creating a national pool of auditing talent. Which means your work could take you just about anywhere. From the word go, you'll enjoy an incredible variety of work and a well thought out mix of on-the-job practical experience. We'll also help you work towards your CIPFA accountancy qualification. And as well as a competitive salary (between £22,938-£30,346 including training supplements), we'll make sure you're given the recognition and rewards your invaluable contribution deserves. So, what's your mission? Whatever it is, we believe you'll find a way to achieve it through a career with us. Find out more at www.whatisyouraudit.com/mission
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EDITOR’S LETTER
Dee Pilgrim, Editor Editorial Editor Dee Pilgrim Designer Yang Ou Design Intern Nathan Nightingale Senior Reporter Catherine Watson Online Brett Singer Sales Paul Wade
It’s amazing how quickly the world can move on in just a decade or two. Fashions come and go, technology marches forward getting ever more powerful and miniaturised, while society continues to become more multi-cultural and mixed. With all that progress you’d think by 2009 issues such as race, gender, disability and sexuality would have become totally non-contentious. The truth is, while progress has been made on all these fronts, discrimination still exists. This is especially true when it comes to a person’s sexuality. Recent news stories have documented horrendous attacks on individuals simply because of their sexual orientation. During his infamous appearance on Question Time, Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, described the sight of two men kissing as ‘creepy’. While adopting a zero tolerance policy will never stamp out the irrational fear, mistrust and prejudice most discrimination stems from, a hugely diverse and dynamic workforce, working happily together towards common goals, can help dispel those fears. PINKS celebrates the 1.7 million people that make up Britain’s LGBT working communities in all their rainbow colours. Read this issue to discover why more and more companies are discovering people perform better when they don’t have to hide who they truly are.
Marketing & Distribution Zoe Bowthorpe
Client Services Manager Louise Ashcroft Managing Director Darius Norell Real World 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ Tel: 020 7735 4900 Fax: 020 7840 0443 info@realworldmagazine.com www.realworldmagazine.com for job vacancies, careers advice and case studies. Copyright © 2009 Cherry Publishing No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post. The views in this publication or on our website are not necessarily those held by the publisher.
in this issue... 4 ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL The Workplace Equality Index was developed by Stonewall to challenge Britain’s leading organisations to improve their workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-sexual (LGBT) staff. We find out which firms in the UK have the best sexual equality policies and which are doing the most for their LGBT communities – prepare to be surprised! 6 GAY RIGHTS We may be almost a decade into a new
millennium but some people still feel they can’t ‘sing if they’re glad to be gay’ and prefer to keep quiet about their sexuality. However, attitudes are changing in the workplace as well as in society as members of EYGLES, Ernst & Young’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) network, explain. 8 LGBT CASE STUDIES Rhian Morgan and Dan ChapmanHarris discuss what it means to be gay in the workplace.
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ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL The Workplace Equality Index was developed by Stonewall to challenge Britain’s leading organisations to improve their workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-sexual (LGBT) staff. Now in its fifth year, the Index is seen as a key measure of an organisation’s commitment to diversity generally.
T
he Index is a powerful tool used by many of the 1.7 million gay people in the UK workplace to decide where to take their talent, skills and experience. 150,000 gay students studying at UK universities refer to it when deciding where to pursue their careers. It is the definitive national benchmark of Britain’s top employers of LGBT staff, and ranks the top 100 employers according to criteria including implementation of effective equality policies and how lesbian and gay
staff, customers and service users are engaged with. This year, LGBT staff from over 317 organisations, up from 240 last year, from both the private and public sector were surveyed. Top of the Index this year was Lloyd’s TSB. Eric Daniels, its Group Chief Executive said: ‘I am delighted that Lloyds TSB has been rated the top employer in the UK for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the 2009 Index. Sexual orientation has been a key diversity priority for Lloyds TSB for a number of years and
this accolade is testament to our progress and commitment to this agenda.’ Meanwhile, TfL was rated fifth and was cited as an example of best practice for Career Development by ensuring that LGBT staff has equal access to personal and career development opportunities and allowing employees to request a gay mentor. London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy said: ‘I’m extremely pleased that we have been able to improve on our Stonewall equality rating in a year
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sexuality | INTRO
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150,000 gay students studying at UK universities refer to the Index when deciding where to pursue their future careers.
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when there was a major increase in the number of organisations being surveyed. This achievement acknowledges the importance TfL places on good employment practices and clearly demonstrates that TfL is at the forefront of championing equality and eliminating discrimination in the workplace.’ Ernst & Young has moved up from joint 78th to joint 19th on the Index. Overleaf, members of the E&Y Egyles workforce explain how this has been achieved.
TOP 20 OF THE TOP 100 WORKPLACE EQUALITY INDEX 1 Lloyds TSB
11 Ford
2 Hampshire Constabulary
11 IBM
3 Brighton & Hove City Council
13 Goldman Sachs
4 Kent Police
14 London Fire Brigade
5 Nacro
15 Barclays
5 Transport for London
16 HM Prison Service
7 London Borough of Tower Hamlets
17 Gentoo Group
8 Manchester City Council
18 Avon and Somerset Probation Area
8 Merseyside Police
19 Cambridge City Council
10 Home Office
19 Ernst & Young
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sexuality | overview
We may be almost a decade into a new millennium but some people still feel they can’t ‘sing if they’re glad to be gay’ and prefer to keep quiet about their sexuality. However, attitudes are changing in the workplace as well as in society as members of EYGLES, Ernst & Young’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) network, explain.
GAY RIGHTS
E
YGLES actually started more than ten years ago and is one of the longest running diversity networks at E&Y with around 120 members. Cameron Cartmell is a partner at E&Y and co-chair of EYGLES, and explains the philosophy behind the network: ‘It’s about raising the profile of LGBT members within the organisation through specific activities such as networking events. When someone first joins the firm, it is great to have other people to socialise with and network with, especially given the number of people who may have come to work in London for the first time. EYGLES events are a great opportunity for them to meet other people and to have that support mechanism there. It also helps those people who are less comfortable about their sexuality be open about it because they can see people from all levels – associate through to partner level – represented within EYGLES.’ Cameron says many companies have significantly improved their attitudes towards gay people in the last
attitude. ‘When I came out I was in a relationship with someone at work so it was inevitable other people in the office would find out, so before they did I just told everybody. Most people were absolutely brilliant, some took a few days but, because I was being so open with them and confident, they related to that and saw it just as normal because I wasn’t ashamed of anything. I was very happy and I find people reciprocate that. Also, people have to be comfortable with themselves in the workplace because we all work too many hours to be uncomfortable.’ Originally from San Francisco, Consultant Justin Shaffer only joined EYGLES last year, becoming its 100th member. ‘From the moment I got here I noticed people were openly gay and EYGLES was well publicised,’ he says, ‘and once I saw that, I was fired up about joining the EYGLES leadership team as a result of the exposure and the awareness. In London I have found it very easy to talk about my partner and about my social life. Before you come
five years. ‘You now have a whole generation of people for whom sexuality
out there is always some hesitancy about how people will react, but I’ve
is much less of an issue because they are much more broad-minded and
never had a bad experience when I have told people.’
educated. There are now many organisations doing what we are
One of the newest members of EYGLES is Daniel Chapman-Harris, a
because they know they have to retain top talent. We are a business; we need to recruit and retain the best people and if we don’t retain our LGBT populations, we are missing out on a whole segment of absolutely outstanding talent. ' However, he says sexuality may still be an issue for some: ‘If you’ve been with an organisation for many years and haven’t come out, it could be more difficult to come out.’ Paula Digby is a Senior Manager at the Birmingham office of Ernst & Young where a number of people are out. She says she has never faced any challenges about her sexuality in the office and puts this down to her own
Senior Associate at E&Y. Dan was very active in the LGBT network while at Warwick university and actually joined EYGLES before joining E&Y (not the normal way of doing things!) He explains: ‘It meant when I did join the firm I had people I could speak to and have coffee with, which was great. One of the directors in my team was out and had had a civil partnership ceremony just before I joined, so in my first week we had an introductory session and he talked about the ceremony. I just thought “well, if he can talk about his sexuality, so too can I” and it was really good to see that in my first week.’
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Read a case study with Dan overleaf.
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SEXUALITY | case studies
skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do? Listening skills are big! You must have understanding and you need to put your all into what you do every day. I don’t do anything that I undertake half-heartedly. Is there anything else you would like to add? I love to brag to my friends about my career at Enterprise. I’ve had such a good experience and the opportunities are endless.
‘
Rhian Morgan Job: Customer Service Representative, Enterprise Rent-A-Car What do you actually do? I work specifically on the Masterlease team, which is one of Enterprise’s largest fleet customers. I take corporate bookings via telephone and e-mail and assist with general enquiries. It’s a very high profile role since it is a big account. Have you ever experienced any sexual orientation prejudice in this sector? If so, how did you deal with it? I have not experienced any discrimination at Enterprise, nor in any of my previous roles. I am honest and open about who I am and I invite anyone who wishes to do so, to ask questions and to aid their understanding. Do you feel your sexual orientation has ever held you back? If so, in what way? No, because my ability is not in my sexual orientation. I prove that I am capable at my job without any reference or connection to my personal relationships. What do you feel about your employer’s diversity policy in terms of your own circumstances? Enterprise has a fantastic policy around diversity. They encourage all of us to be ourselves around everyone; no matter who they are, or their circumstances. Enterprise has a diversity/career and family focus group, which tackles many initiatives. Overall, their mission is to make Enterprise a better place to work. What do you like most about your job? It would definitely be my team and the family environment that the company creates. Everyone is warm and welcoming. It doesn’t matter how many times you ask the same question, people understand and they are patient! I also love speaking to our customers and building a rapport between me and the customer. I can talk for England! What do you think are the most important
I am honest and open about who I am and I invite anyone who wishes to do so, to ask questions to aid their understanding. Dan Chapman-Harris
staff all across the firm, from senior partners to graduate trainees. What do you feel about your employer’s diversity policy? Ernst & Young’s diversity policy is fantastic – I recently had my civil partnership (with my partner of 5.5 years) and it is great to know that my partner and I are both supported by Ernst & Young’s policies and benefits. From adoption leave to paternity/maternity leave, LGBT employees have exactly the same rights as any other employee at Ernst & Young.
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Degree: Classical Civilisation at the University of Warwick Job: Tax Advisor What do you actually do? I work as a corporate tax advisor for Ernst & Young, I specifically deal with the taxation of companies who work in the real estate sector or have investments in real estate. The work in this sector can be incredibly varied, working for UK and non UK companies, partnerships, and Funds, as well as Banks, Pension Funds and the government. Were you always interested in this area as a career? Honestly, when I was growing up I had no idea that I would end up working for an accountancy firm, and more specifically in tax. It wasn't until I came to the end of my degree and some of my friends started looking into financial services in more detail that I began to take an interest. Have you ever experienced any prejudice about your sexuality in this sector? I personally have never experienced any prejudice at all in the sector. I know that Ernst & Young has invested a lot of time in engaging and educating people on its diversity and inclusiveness policy, which is focused on promoting values, behaviour, and working practices that support difference. Do you feel your sexual orientation has ever held you back? Far from it, in fact, I feel it has helped me to be successful in my career! I work in a people business, Ernst & Young’s greatest asset is its people and the business invests a huge amount in our development and opportunities. By joining Ernst & Young’s LGBT network (EYGLES), and subsequently their leadership team, I have been given the opportunity to meet, socialise, and network with other LGBT and non-LGBT members of
What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I love the variety of colleagues and clients I work with, I also like the spontaneity of a busy day and the fact that you can never guarantee what your day will look like. What skills do you think you need to succeed? A lot of people assume that if you work in accountancy you need to have a background in maths, economics or accounting. This really isn’t the case, my team is comprised of historians, musicians, scientists, lawyers, geographers… you name it and we have it! Tax as a discipline involves an understanding of UK tax legislation and we spend a lot of our time drafting reports and writing documents for our clients to help them understand what impact different pieces of tax legislation can have on the way that they do business. You need to be passionate about what you do, and able to think logically when confronted with a huge quantity of facts. I think of tax as a game, with HMRC and the global tax authorities holding the rule books. We have to get up to speed on the rules as quickly as possible to make sure our clients aren’t left behind. What advice would you give other graduates coming into this sector? When looking at a job in accountancy, make sure you spend time researching the different roles. A job in audit is incredibly different to a job in tax and it is important you understand the differences before deciding on your career. n
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Open for business Pinsent Masons is a law firm with no barriers – no barriers in the way we work and no barriers to what you can achieve in your career. • Top 15 UK Law Firm & Top 100 Global Law Firm • A supportive, collaborative, and open culture • Cutting-edge work delivering business solutions • Open access to partners and experienced lawyers • Opportunities and responsibility open to all Doors will continually open at Pinsent Masons. Find out more and apply for a summer vacation placement or training contract at www.pinsentmasons.com/graduate
London • Birmingham • Bristol • Leeds • Manchester • Edinburgh • Glasgow • Beijing • Dubai • Hong Kong • Shanghai
Pinsent Masons LLP is an equal opportunities employer
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