LGBTQ+ resources for UK surveying professionals and organisations

It is in the interest of both your staff and your business to provide support and assistance for LGBTQ+ employees. Statistics from Purdue Global show that through 2022 75% of companies with more diverse and inclusive teams will exceed their financial targets, outperforming their less inclusive counterparts by 50%.

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 and earning power.

Resources for your network

The below resources, many of which are specific to our industry, may be of use to recommend to your LGBTQ+ staff, or to better inform your LGBTQ+ policies.

Building Equality

With more than 60 industry organisations engaged, Building Equality is an alliance of construction consultants, engineers, developers, contractors, and institutions who are passionate about working together and harnessing their collective power to drive LGBTQ+ inclusion in the construction, engineering and built environment industries.

The group organises events, outreach days and mentorship opportunities and provides resources.

Freehold

A leading and unique networking forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender real estate professionals, Freehold aims to address the equality gap for the LGBT community.

The more than 1300 members include building surveyors, valuation surveyors, agency surveyors, asset managers, architects, developers, investors and property lawyers from both the public and private sector.

Freehold hosts regular events, and has a mentoring scheme, to provide support to our members and aide their profession development.

InterEngineering LGBT

An organisation for everyone who believes that LGBT diversity and inclusion within engineering is important. With regional groups all over the UK, InterEngineering LGBT aims to connect, inform and empower.

LGBT Property Professionals

Based in the North West, LGBT Property Professionals is a group designed to support networking and learning and try to eradicate barriers that LGBT people face in the Built Environment.

LionHeart

LionHeart is the charity for RICS members, can offer free and confidential support and advice to any LGBTQ+ professional, including counselling and coaching. Support is also available for members’ partners.

Out and Equal

An organisation dedicated to achieving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer workplace equality, Out and Equal partners with companies and government agencies to provide leadership, development, training, consultation and networking opportunities.

VERCIDA

A jobsite committed to diversity and inclusion, VERCIDA matches employers and employees based on skills, qualifications and their specific needs to promote an inclusive work force. VERCIDA only works with employers committed to its name: Values, Equality, Respect, Culture, Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility.