There is still room for improvement when it comes to the property industry’s performance in tackling LGBT issues in the workplace, writes Nadia Elghamry
Property has fallen behind other industries in tackling lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the workplace.The one bright spot is growing membership of Freehold – real estate’s networking forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender professionals – which has increased more than tenfold since its inception in 2011. But the group says the property sector lags behind other industries in tackling sexual orientation issues.
The industry failed to feature in Stonewall’s list of the 100 top LGBT-friendly employers and at the top levels in property boardrooms ranks 11th behind finance, technology and law, according to Outstanding’s list of top 100 LGBT business leaders.
Its rankings include just two property business leaders praised for seniority, influence and impact on LGBT inclusion inside and outside the workplace, compared with 23 in the banking and finance sector, 12 in technology and 10 in law.
In terms of employees, one property-related company, Sunderland-based developer and social enterprise firm Gentoo, was mentioned in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. It was named as a star performer, appearing in the index at least three times in the past five years.
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