At Windō, we spotlight companies that don’t just talk the talk on diversity, equity, and inclusion — they walk it, and get recognised for it. This page features a curated list of the world’s most reputable DEI awards — benchmarks we track because they’re rigorous, trusted, and evidence-led. Whether you’re a jobseeker seeking transparent signals of inclusion, or an employer aiming to stand out for meaningful progress, these awards matter. We break down why each one earns its reputation — from anonymous employee feedback to government-endorsed frameworks — helping you cut through the noise and focus on the benchmarks that genuinely move the dial.
👩💼 Gender Equality
1. The Times Top 50 Employers for Women (UK)
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UK’s most established gender equality benchmark, backed by The Times & Business in the Community, it has over a decade of credibility
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Rigorously assessed by experts — only 50 make the list each year.
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Focuses on evidence of impact, not just policies.
2. Equileap Top 100 for Gender Equality (Developed Markets)
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Global ranking based on 19 indicators like pay equity and leadership.
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Covers 3,500+ public companies; data is public and methodology transparent.
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Widely used by investors and tracked via index funds.
3. Fortune 100 Best Large Workplaces for Women (US)
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Built from anonymous feedback from millions of women (4.6 million in 2019)
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Focuses on fairness, representation, and advancement.
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Powered by Great Place to Work’s industry-leading culture analytics.
4. Forbes World’s Top Companies for Women
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Based on 100,000+ survey responses from women in 37 countries, 6,000 multinational companies evaluated in 2024
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Evaluates employer reputation, equity, and women in leadership.
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Independent, peer-reviewed and run by Statista.
5. UK’s Best Workplaces for Women (Great Place to Work UK)
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85% of score based on women’s own survey feedback.
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Now in its seventh year, the program has grown significantly. In 2024, for example, 330 organizations vied for a spot in the medium-size category alone.
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Tailored to UK workplaces with strong media visibility.
✊ Race & Ethnicity
6. Top Employers for the Black Community (DiversityComm, US)
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Based on detailed surveys reviewed by a diversity publishing leader.
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Assesses outreach, advancement, and supplier diversity.
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Featured in Black EOE Journal — trusted by jobseekers and DEI pros.
7. UK Ethnicity Awards – Top 10 Employers (UK)
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Independent panel selects standout companies on ethnic inclusion.
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Awards spotlight impact, not PR — backed by high-profile brands like HSBC.
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Recognized as the UK’s premier ethnicity inclusion event.
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25+ years benchmarking corporate support for Latina professionals.
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Evaluates promotion, mentorship, and culture across 800+ firms.
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Endorsed by US federal agencies and top Latino advocacy groups.
9. Top Companies for Black Executives (Fair360, US)
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Uses hard data to measure representation and advancement outcomes.
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A specialty ranking from the trusted team behind DiversityInc Top 50.
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Public signal that Black talent can rise to the top.
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ Inclusion
10. Equality 100 (Human Rights Campaign, US)
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100% score on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index = “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.”
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Measures LGBTQ-inclusive benefits, training, policies, and public commitment.
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in 2025, 765 employers earned 100
11. Stonewall Top 100 Employers (UK)
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UK’s most respected LGBTQ+ ranking, with tough evidence-based scoring, been running for 15 years
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in 2024, 246 organizations submitted to the WEI, vying for a Top 100 spot
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A public mark of trust for LGBTQ+ talent and allies.
12. Stonewall Top Global Employers
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Recognizes global leaders championing LGBTQ+ inclusion across jurisdictions.
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Assessed across 7 pillars from global policy to advocacy in high-risk regions.
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Only ~20 multinationals earn this title each year.
13. Workplace Pride Global Benchmark (Global)
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Measures LGBTIQ+ inclusion in multinational settings, been running since 2014
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Awards “Advocate” or “Ambassador” status based on performance.
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Offers expert feedback, not just scores — trusted by global brands.
14. India Workplace Equality Index (Pride Circle)
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India’s first benchmark for LGBTQ+ inclusion at work, launched in 2020
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Built with support from Stonewall and HRC, tailored to Indian context, cited by the British High Commission and other institutions as a positive driver.
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Recognized by major MNCs and Indian employers alike.
15–18. HRC Equidad (Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Argentina)
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HRC’s Latin American equality indices based on four key LGBTQ+ pillars.
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Endorsed by local NGOs and adapted to each country’s legal landscape.
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A 100% score earns “Best Place to Work LGBTQ+” status — the regional gold standard.
19. Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index (Gold Standard)
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Asia’s first comprehensive LGBTQ+ workplace benchmark launched in 2015
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Judged by Community Business and judging panel of D&I experts
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Gold tier signals elite performance in inclusion across policy and culture.
20. Japan’s Pride Index – Gold (Work with Pride)
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Evaluates LGBTQ+ inclusion across five Japan-tailored categories, launched in 2016
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Gold Award = excellence across policy, culture, visibility, and advocacy.
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Backed by government ministries and top Japanese employers.
21. Australia Workplace Equality Index (AWEI)
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National LGBTQ+ benchmark led by Pride in Diversity, launched in 2010.
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Known for its rigour and employee survey component.
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Developed with input from Stonewall UK’s methodology but customized to Australian context.
♿ Disability Inclusion
22. Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion (Disability:IN & AAPD)
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Established in 2015. In 2024, 540+ organizations participated, reflecting its broad uptake and authority.
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Assesses leadership, accessibility, culture, employment practices, and more.
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Results are public, detailed, and independently verified.
🎖️ Veterans
23. VETS Indexes 5 Star Employer (US)
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Highest rating in a comprehensive vet-focused employer index.
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Assesses hiring, development, Guard/Reserve support, and military spouse inclusion.
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Endorsed by military media and used in best-practice benchmarking.
24. Best for Vets (Military Times, US)
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Longstanding, independent ranking by trusted veteran news outlet.
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Survey covers real outcomes: hiring, retention, ERGs, reservist support.
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Partnered with Fors Marsh for robust and evolving methodology.
25. America’s Best Employers for Veterans (Forbes)
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Based on 24,000+ US veteran survey responses.
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Veterans rate their own employers on fairness, development, and values.
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A direct endorsement from the community it represents.
26. Defence Employer Recognition Scheme – Gold (UK MOD)
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UK’s top honour for forces-friendly employers, launched in 2014
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Requires proven action: reservist support, spouse policies, advocacy.
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Run by the Ministry of Defence, endorsed by government and military.
📈 Socio-Economic Diversity
27. Social Mobility Employer Index (UK)
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Launched in 2017, ranks the Top 75 employers each year (out of 150+ entrants in 2024)
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It’s widely cited by the UK government as a tool to encourage employer action on socio-economic diversity
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Run by an independent charity, with public rankings and shared best practice.