Herbert Smith Freehills has been recognised for its ongoing commitment to gender equality in the workplace, receiving the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation for the second consecutive year from Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
The citation recognises the firm’s proactive approach to addressing gender inequality, and the strategic initiatives the firm has undertaken to overcome the systemic imbalance between genders within its own workforce and as well as its contributions to the legal profession more broadly.
In order to receive the citation, an organisation must demonstrate how they are improving gender equality outcomes across activity in a number of areas including leadership, learning and development, gender remuneration gaps and flexible working.
Herbert Smith Freehills’ Regional Managing Partner, Australia, Andrew Pike, said the firm was proud to be recognised for its efforts to address gender inequality:
“We are deeply committed to an inclusive working environment and to addressing gender inequality in the legal profession, and we are proud to be recognised by WGEA with this citation for our continuing initiatives to proactively address this important issue. This citation is important recognition of the progress we are making as a firm, and it also shows the progress the legal profession is making as we see more of the outcomes that result from these initiatives.
“We know that more diverse teams are essential to our business, they allow our employees to be their whole selves at work, and they are the teams our clients want to see working and partnering with them. Increasing gender diversity in our workforce is an essential strategic imperative for us as it allows us to attract and retain the brightest and best talent in the market, and to celebrate a diverse range of thinking that provides fresh perspectives and enhanced outcomes for our clients.”
The importance of gender diversity was echoed by the firm’s global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Danielle Kelly, who emphasised the focus the firm has on not just diversity but also inclusion:
“We have an unyielding focus on creating a more diverse workplace, but we know that it doesn’t stop there, the real key is creating an inclusive workplace where people feel valued and respected. We are focused not only on gender equity but also inclusion at all levels of our business to ensure diverse perspectives are heard.”
In addition to strategies promoting gender diversity, Herbert Smith Freehills is also keenly focussed on a broad range of inclusive programs. The firm has an active global IRIS network supporting LGBTI staff and allies, as well as strategic initiatives to focus on multicultural inclusion and inclusion of staff with disabilities or caring for family members with disabilities.