Sexual orientation
We ask all our new starters to declare their sexual orientation when they apply for a role with us. This data is not shared with recruiting managers.
Completion of the monitoring form is now compulsory, but we continue to offer the option of ‘prefer not to say’. The colleagues who have not declared their sexual orientation or who prefer not to say, does not include any new starters, which demonstrates the efficacy of this approach.
We will contact the 17 colleagues to explain why we would like the data and how we will store and process it, to encourage declarations.
| 2024 | 2025 | |||
| Sexual orientation | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage |
| Unknown | 66 | 8.7% | 65 | 8.2% |
| Bisexual | 9 | 1.2% | 11 | 1.4% |
| Gay/Lesbian | 14 | 1.8% | 18 | 2.3% |
| Heterosexual | 651 | 85.9% | 684 | 86.0% |
| Prefer not to say | 18 | 2.4% | 17 | 2.1% |
| 758 | 795 | |||
Mean and median sexual orientation pay gap
Calculating the pay gap between those who declare themselves to be gay, lesbian or bisexual with those who declare themselves as heterosexual, prefer not to say or choose not to declare:
- Our mean sexual orientation pay gap was 12.2
This means that on average, colleagues in Beyond Housing who declare they are gay, lesbian or bisexual are paid 12.2% less than other colleagues. This is an increase on the pay gap last year which was 10.6.
- Our median sexual orientation pay gap was 17.9
This means the average colleague who declares they are gay, lesbian or bisexual are paid 17.9% less than other colleagues. This is an increase on the pay gap last year which was 16.5%.
Pay quartiles
| Bisexual/Gay/Lesbian | Heterosexual/Prefer not to say/Unknown | |
| Lower % | 8% (+) | 92% (-) |
| Lower middle % | 2% (=) | 98% (=) |
| Upper middle % | 2% (=) | 98% (=) |
| Upper % | 4% (+) | 96% (-) |
Commentary on sexual orientation pay gap
There has been an increase in our sexual orientation pay gap, and also an increase in the number of colleagues declaring they are bisexual/gay/lesbian, largely in our lower quartile.
This reflects that younger people are both more likely to report a non-heterosexual orientation and are more likely to be in the early stages of their career, initially earning lower pay (18 of the 29 are under the age of 40). However there is also a small increase in the proportion of those declaring a bisexual/gay/lesbian sexual orientation in the upper quartile.
