Researching potential future employers is important to ensure their values align with yours, but where do you start?
We recently chatted with Ken Janssens, Co-Founder & Head of Social Impact at Windō, who are on a mission to connect you with LGBTQIA+ employers.
Windō is a free platform for students to easily access, digest and compare the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) progress and plans that companies are making to drive positive change across diversity, equality and inclusion, sustainability, and employee wellbeing.
We talked to Ken about researching LGBTQIA+ friendly workplaces using Windō’s LGBTQ+ Transparent value filter, which tracks over 500 major employers based on their diversity and inclusion efforts.
“Windō is on a mission to help you meet your ideal, values-aligned employer. We understand the importance of finding workplaces where you can bring your full self to work from day one, including LGBTQ+ talent.”
LGBTQ+ Transparent value filter
“To achieve this, Windō has developed an innovative LGBTQ+ Transparent value filter on our home page where we track 500+ of the largest graduate employers across environmental impact, diversity, equity & inclusion and wellbeing.
Transparency allows prospective employees to see and understand the company’s commitment to creating a workspace that honours diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at every level.
Our filter will only bring back companies that share the size of their LGBTQ+ workforce, placing those with the most comprehensive information on LGBTQ+ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at the top. Currently, at the push of a button, this filter retrieves 84 LGBTQ+ inclusive and transparent companies, with JPMorgan Chase, KPMG, Google, Clifford Chance, BCG, EY, Deloitte, and HSBC ranked the highest.”
DE&I leaderboards
“But Windō does not stop there. According to a Deloitte survey of 5,474 LGBTQ+ individuals across 13 countries in 2023, half of the respondents indicated that a company’s external commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion is crucial in their decision to apply for a job.
In response, we developed a leaderboard that tracks public statements companies have made in support of LGBTQ+ rights globally.
This has allowed us to compile the LGBTQ+ rights advocacy track record for over 100 companies.
Currently, Google, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, IBM, and Microsoft are ranked as the most vocal corporate advocates in support of LGBTQ+ rights.”
LGBTQIA+ senior leadership
“That same Deloitte survey revealed that more than half of the respondents consider the presence of leaders who are LGBTQ+ and ‘out’ as a deciding factor in whether to apply. In light of this, we created a leaderboard that tracks the companies with the highest % of LGBTQ+ senior leaders.
At Windō, we believe it’s crucial to do your homework on prospective employers. Our tools and resources are designed to make that process easier for you, ensuring that you find a workplace where you can be yourself and thrive as a result.
Happy Pride Month! We’re excited to support you in your journey to find a truly inclusive and supportive employer.”
Other resources:
- Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index is a benchmarking tool used to measure and promote LGBTQ+ inclusion within workplaces.
- UK Official Diversity LGBT Recruitment Job Board (lgbtjobs.co.uk) helps you to identify and compare supportive employers, research their policies and advocacy efforts, and find workplaces with significant LGBTQ+ representation and inclusive environments.
- And don’t forget… your Careers Service is here to support you! Start by checking out our Support for: LGBT+ students resource.