Jacobs has retained its coveted “Gold” status in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for LGBTQ+ People Index.

The firm ranked number six on the list for the second time, clearly demonstrating the ongoing work the company is doing to attract, retain and empower the industry’s best LGBTQ+ talent in the U.K.

Stonewall is the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality and their Top 100 Employers List recognises exceptional employers who are committed to supporting their LGBTQ+ staff and customers. 

Organizations are ranked by a set of standardised criteria, which includes ensuring HR policies are inclusive of LGBTQ+ people, as well as supporting and celebrating LGBTQ+ identities at work.

Kate Kenny, Jacobs senior vice president and general manager, said maintaining its position as sixth in the Stonewall Index is a huge testament to Prism – the company’s global employee network for LGBTQ+ people and their allies.

For the second consecutive year, the scheme was awarded Stonewall’s Highly Commended Network Group Award.

Kenny added the award was also down to TogetherBeyond, the company’s culture of belonging, which has had a tangible positive effect on the lives, wellbeing and opportunities of disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, not only within Jacobs but also with its clients, supply chain and in the communities it serves.

Praising the firm’s “continued focus and passion that goes into delivering an inclusive working environment" she said: "It’s a fantastic achievement, and I’m proud to be leading a business that strives for an inclusive culture where LGBTQ+ people can excel.”

Nancy Kelley, Stonewall CEO, said it had been fantastic to see all of the work put in by Jacobs over the past year to create a workplace where LGBTQ+ staff feel free to thrive as themselves. 

“For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential,” she says. 

“Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are.”

Some of the achievements central to Jacobs’ position with Stonewall include ensuring all key Jacobs family policies (maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, adoption leave, bereavement leave) are inclusive of all families, regardless of gender or gender identity. 

The firm also provides equitable private medical benefits for same-sex partners in Poland, despite those partnerships not being recognised by local law.

Its wide-ranging policies also support employees who are transitioning or have transitioned at work, to ensure they have the support available to feel completely themselves, including the creation of designated “Transgender Specialists” within Jacobs’ Human Resources organization.