LGBTQ+ resources for real estate professionals

In January 2019, JLL became the first real estate advisor to be featured on Stonewall's Top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers list. According to analysis by Construction News, Kier, included in 2008, is the only construction company to feature on the list since its launch in 2005.

The rare inclusion of businesses within our industry on this list is no surprise, particularly for the construction sector. Research shows that 60% of LGBTQ+ individuals in the construction industry feel their sexuality or gender identity creates career progression barriers, while 54% of professionals do not feel comfortable being open about their sexuality or gender on construction sites. Though these statistics, from a 2017 survey, are an improvement from 2016, there is clearly still much to be done.

It is in the interest of both your staff and your business to provide support and assistance for LGBTQ+ employees. Research has shown the benefits of an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace include:

• improving job satisfaction and productivity for all staff
• helping to attract a better range of talent
• better staff retention
• enhancing a business's reputation

Resources for your network

The below resources may be of use to recommend to your LGBTQ+ staff, or to better inform your LGBTQ+ policies and support network.

• Freehold - A leading and unique networking forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender real estate professionals which aims to address the equality gap for the LGBT community. Freehold hosts regular meet ups, including theatre trips, parties, and professional networking events, and has a mentoring scheme, in which more than 20 members of the forum have taken part. LionHeart, the benevolent fund for RICS members, their partners and dependents, collaborates with Freehold.
• LGBT Property Professionals – A networking event based in Manchester, UK, with the aim of connecting LGBT professionals within the property sector and raising awareness.
• Building Equality - An alliance of construction firms collaborating to drive LGBT+ inclusion. Operates in Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Scotland, and the South West. They provide LGBT+ inclusion Toolbox Talks in sites and offices across the UK.
• Construction Equality – Helps businesses implement inclusive policies and highlight industry best practices. They provide training workshops and eLearning modules, and aim to provide free eLearning for those businesses employing less than 50 people (including labour-only sub-contractors) who wish to undertake Be Fair accreditation.
• InterEngineering LGBT – An organisation for everyone who believes that LGBT diversity and inclusion within engineering is important. With regional groups all over the UK, the group aims to connect, inform and empower.
• Out and Equal Workplace Advocates – An organisation dedicated to achieving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer workplace equality which partners with companies and government agencies to provide leadership, development, training, consultation and networking opportunities.
• VERCIDA - A jobsite that only works with employers committed to its name: Values, Equality, Respect, Culture, Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility.