Top Employer: Arup
This is Arup’s first time in the Top 100 list, shooting in at an impressive second place after significantly developing its LGBTQ+ inclusion work.
As a professional services firm focused on sustainable development, Arup understands that inclusion isn’t only important for its 6,000+ UK staff, but it also supports them in meeting the needs of their clients, partners and the communities they serve.
LGBTQ+ inclusion is embedded throughout the employee lifecycle, from attraction, recruitment and induction, through training and career development. Arup has a well-established allies programme, which encourages all staff to expand their learning and join a community of colleagues who actively promote inclusion across the organisation.
Arup’s active LGBTQ+ network group, Connect Out, provides support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ staff, with a particular focus on supporting their bi, pan, trans and non-binary members. The group engages all staff with its wide range of social and awareness-raising events, using insights from member surveys to understand which experiences and issues are under-represented. This has included delivering events and initiatives focused on the experiences of LGBTQ+ refugees, LGBTQ+ disabled people and the trans and non-binary community.
Promoting equality across the wider sector, Arup shares training, advice and events with clients, partners and suppliers and provides extensive support to LGBTQ+ community groups, including meeting space, sponsorship and pro-bono consultancy. As a founding member of the Building Equality network, Arup co-developed the Allies Toolbox Talk, which has subsequently been delivered to more than 120 different organisations in various sectors.