Leading accessible health & beauty retailer, Superdrug, has received a bronze award alongside it’s sister company Savers, in Stonewall’s UK Workplace Equality Index. The Workplace Equality Index recognises exceptional employers who are committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace.
Stonewall, Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) rights, launched the Top 100 Employers List to recognise companies who are supporting LGBTQ+ staff to be themselves at work. Last year Superdrug & Savers joined Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme and committed to working closely with the charity to ensure they continue to implement inclusive practices and policies that allows LGBTQ+ people to bringing their full selves to work and thrive in the workplace.
More than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) have hidden who they are at work for fear of discrimination. This means LGBTQ+ people often feel that they have limited options when applying for jobs – or that the work culture isn’t for them when they do land a job. Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List 2024 is the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are.
Amy Davies, People Director at AS Watson Health & Beauty UK said: “11% of our staff identify themselves as from the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re proud to over index in attracting people from this community. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion remain an important priority for us as a business, but we know that statements aren’t enough, and we will always have work to do.
“We’re honoured to have received the bronze award as part of Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index and are looking forward to working with the Stonewall team on our strategy and development areas over the coming months.”
Colin Macfarlane, Director of Programmes and Income at Stonewall (he/him) said: “Implementing inclusive practices and policies is vital for employers who wish to attract and retain top LGBTQ+ talent. The Workplace Equality Index draws participants from diverse industries and sectors, all of whom understand that inclusivity is the future and are leading the way in this vital change. By championing LGBTQ+ employees, you are fostering a happy and motivated workforce and contributing to a UK where LGBTQ+ people can thrive as their true selves.”
Superdrug recently launched a new initiative to encourage team members to Unlearn negative and harmful beliefs, biases, and stereotypes and to celebrate diversity and inclusion within the workplace. Building on the existing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, known as Everyone Matters, and born out of the employee networks, Unlearn from Superdrug is all about educating employees on different personal experiences and identities, with the understanding that everyone is unique. Everyone Matters focuses on 6 areas: Age, Social Mobility, Disability, Gender Equality, LGBTQ+ and Race & Ethnicity.
