RSA becomes a Stonewall Diversity Champion

Authored by RSA

RSA Insurance has taken a further step in its drive to progress diversity, equity and inclusion by becoming a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Stonewall is a leading UK human rights charity that has been campaigning successfully for 34 years to help deliver transformative change in the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the UK. Its efforts have helped establish the equal right to love, marry and have children in the UK and for the lives, families and relationships of LGBTQ+ people to be included as part of the National Curriculum in most of the UK.

As a Diversity Champion, RSA will be working closely with Stonewall to help increase empowerment for LGBTQ+ colleagues and customers, and continue to embed inclusivity in its culture, ensuring that diverse lives and experiences are supported to thrive. As part of this, colleagues will be provided with access to specialist support and a wealth of resources and workshops to help promote awareness, inclusion and cultural competency.

One of the first actions has seen RSA adopt the Mobile App, Zoteria, developed by the Vodafone Foundation in partnership with Stonewall and Galop. The App supports the LGBTQ+ communities to tackle hate by creating a place where anyone can anonymously report a hate incident. RSA will shortly follow this up with a project to add pronouns to company email signatures.

Importantly, RSA will also receive access to research and benchmarking data that will allow teams to better measure, track and generate actionable insight on empowerment among LGBTQ+ colleagues and customers. A product of this enhanced measurement will see RSA secure its ranking in the Workplace Equality Index, joining a network of 850+ leading organisations.

Stonewall’s landmark study: LGBT in Work uncovered concerning figures relating to discrimination in the workplace. It revealed that:

• Almost one in five (18%) of LGBT employees had been the target of negative comments or conduct from colleagues in the workplace;
• Half (51%) of trans people had hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination;
• Half (49%) of non-binary people adjust how they dress for fear of discrimination and harassment; and
• One in eight (12%) black Asian and minority ethnic LGBT people had lost their job because of being LGBT, compared to four percent of white LGBT employees.

This kind of research underscores the need for a vigilant and consistent effort towards education and awareness in the workplace, which RSA takes seriously.

Gemma Jackson, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, commented: 

“The above statistics relating to LGBTQ+ discrimination have galvanised our decision to work with Stonewall to identify every possible area where we can inflect our inclusivity and make RSA a place where difference is utterly celebrated and properly supported to thrive.

“A learning from Stonewall’s successful campaigning that held particular resonance for me is that the workplace can be a powerful influencer for societal change. The best employers understand why all colleagues should feel welcome, respected and represented at work. They know that inclusion drives better individual, business and organisational outcomes.

“Building resilient communities and helping society to prosper are fundamental to our role as a responsible business. At the core of our DEI strategy (Diversity, equity and inclusion) that extends into 2030 is the understanding that programmes that bring greater equity and safety for all colleagues to show up as themselves and thrive, benefit everyone. Empowered individuals help to build communities where everyone can achieve their full potential.

“It’s an honour to work with such a legendary and influential organisation and I can’t wait to bring the specialist tools into the business to find ways to progress and evolve our empowerment culture.”