FOI - Equality, diversity and inclusion - GLA policies and values [May 2021]

Your request

1. Does your organisation have a policy that includes an explicit ban on discrimination, bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation? If so please provide an up to date copy of the relevant policy.

2. Does your organisation have a policy that includes an explicit ban on discrimination, bullying and harassment based on gender identity and gender expression? If so please provide an up to date copy of that policy.

3. Does your organisation have a policy to support employees who are transitioning with
work-related guidance for an employee who is transitioning? If so please provide an up
to date copy of that policy.

4. Does your organisation have a policy to support employees who are transitioning with
work-related guidance for managers and/or HR staff on how to support an employee
who is transitioning? If so please provide an up to date copy of that policy.

5. Does the organisation include a statement on valuing diversity, explicitly inclusive of
LGBT people, in all job packs and pages? If so please provide a copy of that statement.

6. When being inducted into the organisation do all new employee receive an explicit
message on the organisation’s commitment to LGBT inclusion? If so please provide a
copy of that message.

7. Does the organisation provide all-employees with training on compliance with its
discrimination, bullying and harassment policies, including information about its policy
and legislation? If so please provide a copy of the relevant training materials used.

Our response

Our Dignity at Work Policy and Code of Ethics covers the points raised in question 1 and
2. Please see the information attached.

Our Trans and Gender Identity Policy covers the points raised in question 3 and 4. Please
see the information attached.

With regard to question 5, all job adverts include a statement on valuing diversity explicitly inclusive of LGBT people. For example:

 'London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects
 London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of
 age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.'

The GLA website's careers pages include a Diversity and Our Values page with
information about the GLA's Dignity and Inclusion work. The Stonewall Diversity Champions logo is displayed alongside accompanying text:

'The GLA is a member of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme and is
committed to improving the workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff.'

With regard to question 6, new starters to the organisation are given information about our commitment to LGBT+ inclusion policies through dedicated new starter pages on the GLA's intranet, in our induction workshop and booklet. The following statement is used to explicitly share information about LGBT+ inclusive policies:

 'The Greater London Authority intends that its workforce reflects London's diversity at all
levels of the organisation and aims to be an inclusive employer that positively values the contribution of all employees. Through both its employment policies and strategies for
London, the GLA aims to achieve equality of opportunity for all sections of the workforce
and the community it serves. The GLA's policies apply to all employees, regardless of age,
disability, gender reassignment, marital status and civil partnership, pregnancy and
maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual
orientation.'

With regard to question 7, we provide all employees with training relating to Dignity and Inclusion. This includes compliance with discrimination, bullying and harassment policies and legislation. Please see the training workbook attached.

As a Stonewall Top 100 Employer, we are keen to share best practice and to support other
employers to become more LGBTQ+ inclusive. If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact me, quoting reference MGLA140421-0723.