Two major Herts employers have been recognised among the top gay-friendly workplaces in the country.

The latest Stonewall Workplace Equality Index lists Herts County Council and Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in its top 100. The council was placed at 60 and the trust at 73.

Employers that made the charity’s list were assessed on their equality practices and provision of support and inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

Derrick Ashley, cabinet member for equality and diversity at County Hall, said the authority is delighted with the award.

He added: “Our place on the index acknowledges the hard work the council puts into its equality policies. We are committed to ensuring we remain an employer that both our current staff and future employees really want to work for.”

The HPFT, which provides health and social care to people with mental ill health and learning disabilities, appeared for the third year in a row, and is one of only seven NHS trusts on the list.

James Holland, equalities manager at the trust, said: “The index was revised for 2012 with the most demanding criteria to date and competition for a place was fiercer than ever this year with 25 per cent of those in the top 100 last year not making it into this year’s list. This accomplishment only goes to further demonstrate our commitment to equality and diversity for all staff and is a fantastic achievement for the trust.”