Apply now!Diversity at Charles Russell Speechlys
Charles Russell Speechlys is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within, and beyond, the legal sector. Read more about their initiatives below.
Charles Russell Speechlys is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within, and beyond, the legal sector. Read more about their initiatives below.
Charles Russell Speechlys is committed to ensuring they offer an inclusive work environment where equal opportunities are available to all, everyone is assessed on their own abilities and that the firm maintains a culture of mutual respect; where everyone can bring their whole self to work and where differences are welcomed and celebrated.
This commitment is driven from the top by the dedicated Future Firm Group (FFG), co-chaired by the Managing Partner and Senior Partner and supported by Senior Operational Leads, D&I Partners and other key roles to ensure D&I is embedded in the Firm’s business strategy and weaved into all elements of business. Charles Russell Speechlys also has a dedicated D&I Team and five active Employee Networks that focus on specific strands of diversity, who meet regularly to identify initiatives, changes to policies and processes, training, events and other ways to raise awareness, support and promote an inclusive work environment. Each Network has a dedicated D&I Partner or Senior Associate who acts as a champion/ambassador.
The Firm’s focus Networks include:
LGBTQ+ and Allies
It is important to the firm to provide an inclusive environment where everyone within the organisation can feel comfortable being who they are. The LGBTQ+ and Allies Network plays an active role to help ensure Charles Russell Speechys offers an inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues and clients. The firm's initiatives and engagement to support the LGBTQ+ communities saw it secure a space in the Top 100 Employers in the last Stonewall Equality Index, ranking 53rd overall, 11th in the legal sector and achieving both a Gold Award and Highly Commended Network Award.
Gender
The Gender Committee help to support the ‘Achieving Balance’ programme which specifically looks at different initiatives to support an increase in gender balance in Partnership and leadership roles. The Network are also focussed on identifying other initiatives to engage greater engagement from underrepresented genders for example promoting Shared Parental Leave.
Religion, Belief and Ethnicity
The Religion, Belief and Ethnicity (RBE) Network play a key role in supporting our ‘Race Action’ initiative which is specifically focussed on improving the firm's ethnic diversity and in encouraging a greater representation within the profession. It also focuses on raising awareness and help to identify ways in which the Firm can better support colleagues from different religious, racial and ethnic communities.
CAPability
Charles Russell Speechlys do not see disability as barrier to an individual’s success. As a signatory to the Valuable 500 the firm is committed to ensuring disability inclusion remains on the agenda and actions/initiatives are undertaken to provide better support, inclusion and awareness for colleagues, candidates and clients who are living with a disability.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing is a major focus for the Firm, particularly as the difficulty of recent years has shed light on the strains suffered by many. Charles Russell Speechlys has over 60 trained mental health champions and first aiders in place and continue to promote training and initiatives to raise awareness, encourage conversation and to ensure everyone knows where and how to access the appropriate support. As a signatory to the Mindful Business Charter, the firm is committed to removing unnecessary workplace stresses and promoting best working practices.
Social Mobility
Charles Russell Speechys' flagship social mobility initiative, the Career Start Talent Pipeline Programme, provides five years’ contact and support to Year 12 students who receive both mentoring and work experience in their first year on the programme, followed by relevant workshops throughout their academic and career journeys. During the five-year period the Firm hosts various skills sessions, employability events, networking and other informative events at key milestones in the student’s academic and career journey. In addition, the firm also partner with the Social Mobility Business Partnership (SMBP) to deliver a weeklong skills and insights programme, where students get the opportunity to experience a day at four different high profile organisations with the fifth day provided by a professional sports club delivering the SMBP Resilience day.
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