Workforce sexual orientation equality standard (SOWES)

Download SOWES 2025

SOWES 2025 summary

Workforce representation

• 5% of staff identify as Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual (LGB)
• 92% of staff have recorded their sexual orientation

Disciplinary process

• LGB staff are less likely to enter the disciplinary process compared to heterosexual staff (+ve position)

NHS staff survey insights

• Harassment/bullying/abuse from patients/public:
  • Bisexual: 34%
  • Gay/Lesbian: 28%
  • Heterosexual: 22%
• Harassment/bullying/abuse from colleagues:
  • Gay/Lesbian: 17%
  • Heterosexual: 13%
  • Bisexual: 12%
• Discrimination from managers/colleagues:
  • Bisexual: 9%
  • Heterosexual: 6%
  • Gay/Lesbian: 6%
• Perception of fairness in career progression:
  • Bisexual: 54%
  • Heterosexual: 65%
  • Gay/Lesbian: 69%

Board representation

0% of the Board identify as LGB

Gender identity

Staff who identify as not the same sex as assigned at birth report high levels of harassment, bullying and abuse

• From patients/public: 54%
• From colleagues: 39%
• Discrimination from managers/team leader or colleagues: 23%

Key actions:

• Develop Anti-Discrimination policy
• To understand the guidance following the Supreme Court Ruling and release communications
• To promote access to the Trans Reference Group to all staff supporting Trans staff or patients
• Develop and deliver managers Equality, Diversity and Inclusion bitesize training programme
• Hold a staff network event celebrating diversity and promoting allyship

Previous data and action plans

Read more about Our Approach to Equality and Diversity