Last month Maddocks received a WGEA Employer of Review – CAS 2020. Holding Redlich achieved WGEA Employer of Review – CAS 2019 and WGEA Gender Champion 2020. Further, Baker McKenzie received WGEA Employer of Review – CAS 2019. Wondering what these are?
They are pioneers in gender equality
The firms join other 115 employers that the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has recognised this year for Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation. Prominent among them are Baker McKenzie, Maddocks, and Holding Redlich. These law firms have received it for many years. Maddocks was recognised in this regard for 20 years, Holding Redlich for 16 years, and Baker Mckenzie for 15 years.
WGEA has been consistently recognising Maddocks’ compliance in gender equality. Anna Scannell, the chair of the Gender Equality Network at Maddocks, was glad to admit to the work the firm has done for more than twenty years in striving for gender equality. She emphasized gender diversity, the attempted efforts made by the firm on increasing the number of females in the senior positions and the elimination of the gender wage gap. It is with this citation that Maddocks has used the EOCGE to enhance its potential diversity and inclusion.
For instance, Maddocks’ head of diversity, inclusion as well as wellbeing, Marita Pascoe recognized the good progress takes to reduce the gender pay gap in the firm in the last five years. From a detailed analysis and consistent reporting during the remuneration review process, Maddocks was able to minimise the gender pay gap. This is ahead of the national average for the professional services and legal industries.
Ambitious and achievable goals
Baker McKenzie has set ambitious global gender targets of 40% women, 40% men, and 20% flexible (including women, men, or non-binary persons) by 2025. These targets apply to partners, senior business professionals, and leadership positions within the firm. National managing partner Anne-Marie Allgrove emphasized the firm’s commitment to providing equal opportunities and eliminating sex-based harassment and discrimination. She acknowledged the progress made and the work still to be done.
These firms’ continued recognition by WGEA underscores their ongoing commitment to fostering gender equality in the legal profession.
