Royal Navy joins Stonewall to champion diversity
Dated: 23/02/2005
Stonewall is delighted to announce that the Royal Navy is to join Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme for employers.
The Royal Navy will be working with Stonewall to promote good working conditions for all existing and potential employees and to ensure equal treatment for those who are lesbian, gay and bisexual.
Vice-Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, Second Sea Lord, said: “The Royal Navy’s goal is to be a world class Navy, ready to fight and win. This can only be achieved if our people feel they are valued team members who share a bond of loyalty and trust with those in their ship and unit. With my responsibility for the welfare of all naval personnel, I am committed to ensuring the Royal Navy has a culture in which all our people are valued for themselves and are thus able to give 100 per cent to their job. I look forward to working with Stonewall to help make this happen."
Lieutenant Commander Craig Jones, a serving naval officer, said: "I'm delighted by this move. It will be particularly welcomed by serving gay men and women and their partners, providing reassurance that their contribution will be valued and their sexual orientation respected in a positive working environment. It will also give a clear signal of commitment to those considering a career in the Royal Navy. I know from personal experience that people work best when they can be themselves."
Stephen Frost, programme manager for Stonewall Diversity Champions, said “We’re delighted that the Royal Navy is joining us. We strive to work with any employer committed to creating a more inclusive workplace. Good employers understand that diversity is good for staff and good for operational effectiveness. This isn’t merely about compliance, it’s about common sense.”
Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, established in 2001, is the leading good practice forum on sexual orientation issues in the UK workplace. The programme currently has 90 members employing over 2 million employees across Britain. Members include British Airways, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Sainsbury’s. There are an estimated 1.7 million gay people in the UK workforce.
The Royal Navy includes sexual orientation in its diversity and equality policy.
Notes:
1. The 2003 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations made workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual people unlawful. In spite of the regulations, Stonewall still deals regularly with people facing workplace discrimination. Employment tribunals can award unlimited compensation to people who face discrimination or harassment at work on grounds of their sexual orientation.
2. Last month, Rob Whitfield became the first employee to succeed at tribunal under the new Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, winning £35,345 from his Essex-based employer after a sustained campaign of homophobic harassment.
3. Interviews and pictures of serving naval staff available upon request.
4. Government actuaries now estimate that six per cent of the adult population is lesbian or gay. The current UK workforce is 28.4 million.
5. Stonewall is the gay equality organisation founded in 1989. Founding members include Sir Ian McKellen.
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