Partly, yes. Stonewall is a lobbying group campaigning to change the law, not an impartial advice service helping to support inclusion. It has also been accused of giving advice that misinterprets the Equality Act 2010, claiming it includes protection for ‘gender identity’, and using its Diversity Champions scheme to push employers to adopt pro-trans policies that some are concerned would negatively impact other groups – for example giving trans women access to women-only spaces or enforcing the use of gender-neutral language. The Reindorf Report shows that following Stonewall guidance, which is not in line with the Equality Act 2010, can be problematic for employers. Stonewall represents the law as it would like the law to be, not as it is. This can contribute to an environment of fear for staff that hold views about sex and gender that do not align with Stonewall’s.
https://sex-matters.org/posts/the-workplace/the-reindorf-review-a-wake-up-call-for-universities/
On BBC Sounds-Nolan Investigates: Stonewall, Nolan, '
Blows the lid off the controversial lobby group Stonewall and its influence on public institutions across the UK. It’s not about the rights and wrongs of what Stonewall are doing. They’re entitled to lobby. It’s about the process. And is it right that in a democracy, a lobby group can have so much influence within Government on Government policy?”
Nolan discusses the 'Diversity Champions' programme a service Stonewall provides for an annual fee, to advise on diversity and inclusion and the Workplace Equality Index, a public ranking of organisations, which is scored by Stonewall, and does not require a fee to enter
By joining the Diversity Champions scheme an employer has access to advice and training (at additional cost) from Stonewall. Submitting to the Workplace Equality Index will entitle the employer to prepare and submit an extensive report detailing how well or otherwise it has implemented Stonewall’s recommendations, in return for which Stonewall will provide feedback and a grading and ranking.
So not only are our public bodies paying a lobby group to be marked by a lobby group, but then this lobby group is also saying, well, you’re not doing well enough. Pay us some money and we’ll tell you how to get up higher up our league table next year.
The BBC along with other organisations have left Stonewall and the Government’s Insolvency Service is the latest organisation to leave, stating in its internal communications:
“Unfortunately, there are concerns around impartiality and upon review, we found that the contract did not represent value for money.”
The Insolvency Service joins a growing list of companies and organisations who have realised that membership of Stonewall creates risks. Many organisations are questioning whether outsourcing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policies to a lobby group is a good idea.
https://sex-matters.org/posts/updat...ll-over-concerns-about-impartiality-and-cost/
