Herbert Smith Freehills has once again been named as one of Stonewall's Top LGBT Global Employers as well as achieving the Global Community Engagement Award for the first time this year.
The Global Community Engagement Award is presented to companies who have made efforts to partner with local LGBT communities, or contributed to wider social change identifying any risks and opportunities within countries.
The firm is also one of only 14 companies worldwide to have been recognised for their work in LGBT inclusion as one of Stonewall's Top Global Employers.
In the last three years alone, Herbert Smith Freehills has provided ongoing advice and support for a not-for-profit organisation during the marriage equality postal survey in Australia, taken part in a large multi-jurisdictional research report alongside other firms on the status of transgender rights in the Asia Pacific region, acted for a transgender client for gender reassignment treatments, advised a non-binary individual for changing the record of their gender on a birth certificate, and more.
Herbert Smith Freehills executive partner and executive sponsor of the firm's IRIS Network, Justin D'Agostino, said: "LGBT is an integral part of our wider strategic drive on diversity and inclusion and we are extremely pleased that our firm has achieved this recognition in continuing to create an inclusive and respectful culture. We are extremely grateful to remain a part of this movement, which is paving the way to making global workplaces equal for all."
To celebrate the launch of the global index, a ceremony will take place in London this evening, supported by Herbert Smith Freehills. Speakers at the event include Herbert Smith Freehills partner, John Whiteoak, senior advisor at JFLAG, Glenroy Murray and executive director at Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality, Dan Bross.
Stonewall Chief Executive, Ruth Hunt, said: "Herbert Smith Freehills has demonstrated a real commitment to ensuring that all their lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff and stakeholders feel included at work and we are delighted to name them as one of our Top Global Employers for 2019. All 14 of these businesses truly are at the forefront of driving global LGBT inclusion in the workplace, which is such a crucial step in getting us closer to LGBT equality. There is so much left to do to ensure that lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees feel able to be themselves at work, no matter where they are. We are proud to work with Herbert Smith Freehills, who operate in some extremely difficult contexts, to create workplaces that are inclusive and supportive of LGBT people and equality."
Stonewall’s Top Global Employers is an annual list showcasing the best multinational employers for lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff. The list is compiled from submissions worldwide to their Global Workplace Equality Index from which they rank organisations based on criteria ranging from employee policies and procedure and staff engagement, to understanding of their local context and additional in-country activity.
Herbert Smith Freehills has been awarded the Gold Standard award by Community Business in the 2019 LGBT+ Inclusion award – the highest ranking - and was ranked 6th out of 60 organisations. The firm is a Silver employer for Pride in Diversity’s AWEI and have also partnered with local organisations and with UK organisations who have an international remit such as the Human Dignity Trust.