People
Our people strategy is built upon our purpose of helping our clients, our people and our communities to thrive. Our strategic aim is to support our global vision of being a leading global law firm and to deliver a consistent, superior employee experience through the attraction and retention of the best, diverse talent. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual and we have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. We live our values, we are purposeful, purpose-led and support our communities.
We aim to continuously advance our feedback and development culture to foster the growth of everyone and are committed to providing access to fulfilling career opportunities.
We are committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and engaging work environment that goes beyond complying with health and safety laws. We support the mental, social and physical wellbeing of our people.
In addition, we are also committed to growing and maintaining a diverse workforce that champions a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and building an inclusive, supportive and respectful environment where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work and can thrive.
In 2022, we re-launched our Values in Action recognition scheme, which recognises behaviours linked to our values and purpose and rewards colleagues for excellence, and contribution to responsible business initiatives that support the firm’s strategy.
Supporting our people
Future of work
Our future of work programme is designed to support the workforce of the future. We support a blended working approach that reflects the needs of our clients, our business, our teams and our people. Our blended working approach means we continue to provide colleagues with the flexibility and support to maintain an effective balance between office and home-based working.
Collaboration, teamwork and innovation are essential to the success of our business, and we recognise that regular office attendance brings significant benefits; access to clients, learning and development opportunities and building relationships which are important for everyone but particularly for new joiners, those at the early stages of their careers, those transitioning into new roles, and those wishing to find new challenges or develop new expertise.
Learning and development
We believe people develop through learning and we are transforming our approach to learning and performance through our feedback and development culture and an innovative approach to professional development for all of our people. This underpins our high-performance culture so that our people feel managed, supported and developed continuously as part of their everyday experience. Our comprehensive learning programmes are delivered internationally using a blended learning approach, which combines technical, business and professional skills and development.
Our Career Hub on our intranet brings together resources and information so that all colleagues can better maximise enriching and developmental work experiences to grow their broader career. We have developed specific career tools and guidance for colleagues and centralised our processes for promoting internal development opportunities and vacancies to increase overall transparency and accessibility.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Our EAP is a free, confidential assistance programme available to all colleagues and their immediate family members to provide information, support and guidance 24/7, 365 days a year via telephone, email, web chat, face to face, or online information portals. The EAP actively supports colleagues through everyday matters as well as more serious problems including mental wellbeing, physical health, work, personal relationships, family and life events.
Employer brand
In September 2023, we launched our new employer brand designed to unite all colleagues, attract new talent and bring our purpose and values to life. Through key messaging, proof points and audience focussed narratives, we want all of our colleagues to both identify and develop a sense of belonging with the firm. This also introduces a globally consistent brand message to attract and retain the best, diverse talent to take our firm forward.
Health and safety
We maintain high standards of health and safety management and encourage everyone to contribute to their own welfare and that of their colleagues and others affected by our activities.
Effective health and safety management, including training, improves performance, raises safety awareness and reduces work related injuries and ill health. Therefore, so far as is reasonably practicable, our objectives aim to avoid accidents, injuries, and ill-health, to prevent damage to property and maintain a positive working environment.
Our approach is that we all have a personal responsibility for observing safety policies, rules and procedures. Ensuring safety awareness, positive attitudes and continual improvement in safety performance requires the commitment and active involvement of all colleagues including onsite contractors.
Wellbeing
Our wellbeing strategy is focused on mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and supporting performance. It also operates hand in hand with other aspects of our wider people strategy, including our culture of continuous feedback and development, and applies across all segments of our diversity & inclusion agenda. We foster openness and encourage discussion on this topic during everyday interactions and more formally in check-in meetings.
Mental wellbeing
Our aim is to provide an inclusive and supportive workplace environment where colleagues can thrive and be open about their mental health.
Our objectives are to:
– increase awareness and understanding for everyone
– help individuals manage and maintain their mental health and wellbeing
– signpost support and resources
Physical wellbeing
Physical wellbeing is a key pillar in supporting health, wellbeing and performance. Our aim is to promote and support physical wellbeing as a key component to overall wellbeing in the following areas:
– exercise
– nutrition
– environment
– health
Supporting performance
High performance is key to our success as a business. Overall health and wellbeing are strong components in our ability to deliver our best work for clients and to work successfully and collaboratively with each other. Our aim is to achieve high performance and optimum client service in a way which is mindful of wellbeing and is sustainable over the short, medium and longer term. Our objectives are to deliver this through:
– work life balance and blended working
– inclusive ways of working together
– continuous feedback & development culture (check-ins)
– we offer sabbaticals to all employees and partners
We are signatories to the Mindful Business Charter and continue to raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing across all three strands of our strategy via participation in Mental Health Awareness Week (May), World Mental Health Day (October) and through campaigns and contributions from people across our business.
People
Our people strategy is built upon our purpose of helping our clients, our people and our communities to thrive. Our strategic aim is to support our global vision of being a leading global law firm and to deliver a consistent, superior employee experience through the attraction and retention of the best, diverse talent. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual and we have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. We live our values, we are purposeful, purpose-led and support our communities.
We aim to continuously advance our feedback and development culture to foster the growth of everyone and are committed to providing access to fulfilling career opportunities.
We are committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and engaging work environment that goes beyond complying with health and safety laws. We support the mental, social and physical wellbeing of our people.
In addition, we are also committed to growing and maintaining a diverse workforce that champions a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and building an inclusive, supportive and respectful environment where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work and can thrive.
In 2022, we re-launched our Values in Action recognition scheme, which recognises behaviours linked to our values and purpose and rewards colleagues for excellence, and contribution to responsible business initiatives that support the firm’s strategy.
Supporting our people
Future of work
Our future of work programme is designed to support the workforce of the future. We support a blended working approach that reflects the needs of our clients, our business, our teams and our people. Our blended working approach means we continue to provide colleagues with the flexibility and support to maintain an effective balance between office and home-based working.
Collaboration, teamwork and innovation are essential to the success of our business, and we recognise that regular office attendance brings significant benefits; access to clients, learning and development opportunities and building relationships which are important for everyone but particularly for new joiners, those at the early stages of their careers, those transitioning into new roles, and those wishing to find new challenges or develop new expertise.
Learning and development
We believe people develop through learning and we are transforming our approach to learning and performance through our feedback and development culture and an innovative approach to professional development for all of our people. This underpins our high-performance culture so that our people feel managed, supported and developed continuously as part of their everyday experience. Our comprehensive learning programmes are delivered internationally using a blended learning approach, which combines technical, business and professional skills and development.
Our Career Hub on our intranet brings together resources and information so that all colleagues can better maximise enriching and developmental work experiences to grow their broader career. We have developed specific career tools and guidance for colleagues and centralised our processes for promoting internal development opportunities and vacancies to increase overall transparency and accessibility.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Our EAP is a free, confidential assistance programme available to all colleagues and their immediate family members to provide information, support and guidance 24/7, 365 days a year via telephone, email, web chat, face to face, or online information portals. The EAP actively supports colleagues through everyday matters as well as more serious problems including mental wellbeing, physical health, work, personal relationships, family and life events.
Employer brand
In September 2023, we launched our new employer brand designed to unite all colleagues, attract new talent and bring our purpose and values to life. Through key messaging, proof points and audience focussed narratives, we want all of our colleagues to both identify and develop a sense of belonging with the firm. This also introduces a globally consistent brand message to attract and retain the best, diverse talent to take our firm forward.
Health and safety
We maintain high standards of health and safety management and encourage everyone to contribute to their own welfare and that of their colleagues and others affected by our activities.
Effective health and safety management, including training, improves performance, raises safety awareness and reduces work related injuries and ill health. Therefore, so far as is reasonably practicable, our objectives aim to avoid accidents, injuries, and ill-health, to prevent damage to property and maintain a positive working environment.
Our approach is that we all have a personal responsibility for observing safety policies, rules and procedures. Ensuring safety awareness, positive attitudes and continual improvement in safety performance requires the commitment and active involvement of all colleagues including onsite contractors.
Wellbeing
Our wellbeing strategy is focused on mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and supporting performance. It also operates hand in hand with other aspects of our wider people strategy, including our culture of continuous feedback and development, and applies across all segments of our diversity & inclusion agenda. We foster openness and encourage discussion on this topic during everyday interactions and more formally in check-in meetings.
Mental wellbeing
Our aim is to provide an inclusive and supportive workplace environment where colleagues can thrive and be open about their mental health.
Our objectives are to:
– increase awareness and understanding for everyone
– help individuals manage and maintain their mental health and wellbeing
– signpost support and resources
Physical wellbeing
Physical wellbeing is a key pillar in supporting health, wellbeing and performance. Our aim is to promote and support physical wellbeing as a key component to overall wellbeing in the following areas:
– exercise
– nutrition
– environment
– health
Supporting performance
High performance is key to our success as a business. Overall health and wellbeing are strong components in our ability to deliver our best work for clients and to work successfully and collaboratively with each other. Our aim is to achieve high performance and optimum client service in a way which is mindful of wellbeing and is sustainable over the short, medium and longer term. Our objectives are to deliver this through:
– work life balance and blended working
– inclusive ways of working together
– continuous feedback & development culture (check-ins)
– we offer sabbaticals to all employees and partners
We are signatories to the Mindful Business Charter and continue to raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing across all three strands of our strategy via participation in Mental Health Awareness Week (May), World Mental Health Day (October) and through campaigns and contributions from people across our business.