Touchstone is more than proud to be featured in “Starting Out” a career guide published by Stonewall for LGBT+ job seekers and graduates. For many people entering the job market, it’s hard to know how open to be about their sexual orientation. However, research from Stonewall shows that workers who are comfortable to be out at work also tend to be more satisfied with their job, the support from their manager and their job security.
“Starting Out” explains why inclusivity at work matters and how job seekers can look for inclusive employers. It includes information on working in a number of sectors, including retail, defence, education, manufacturing, housing, arts, media, engineering, construction, third sector and travel.
Touchstone was one of just 4 third sector organisations featured in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for 2016 and the guide features contributions from both our chief executive Alison Lowe and Kirklees Advocacy Service manager Jane Mackay.
Alison talks about how we’ve worked in partnership with Stonewall to improve the sense of safety and inclusion for LGBT+ employees and says “Although change starts with leadership from the top, it succeeds through leadership from all.”
Jane says of working in the third sector: “Here you’ll find people with proper lived experience who want to turn that into opportunities to improve the lives of others. We’re limited on time and budgets so we have to be really innovative and pragmatic – sharing a laugh and a smile also helps us along the way.”