Law Firm Shows Support For Transgender Colleagues

As part of its commitment to better reflecting the communities it operates in and ensuring all employees are free to be themselves at work, national law firm Irwin Mitchell is launching its first documented  transgender policy.

The law firm, which employees over 2,800 people, is launching the policy to ensure transgender workers feel included, are supported and protected from discrimination.

The new policy is being introduced as part of work being undertaken to help better reflect the rich and ever changing diversity of the communities that the firm’s 13 offices are based in.

Following a review of the existing framework which protects and supports employees, the firm identified an opportunity to better support transgender employees and raise awareness of issues such as gender identity and expression.

As long-term supporters of Stonewall, a leading charity which campaigns for the rights of the LGBT+ community, Irwin Mitchell also hopes that the new policy will also ensure that all present and future employees, are free to be themselves at work.

Irwin Mitchell, one of The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, prides itself on the top quality service it delivers to its clients. The firm believes that having a workforce which feels supported and is encouraged to be open is key to achieving this.

The new policy covers employees, contractors, temporary workers and job applicants and accompanies the firm’s diversity policy.

It highlights the firm’s commitment to welcoming and supporting transgender employees and ensuring that there are no barriers to their recruitment, promotion and retention.

The new policy states that ‘providing a working environment that is free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of gender identity is an important step in ensuring that transgender employees are respected and valued.’

It also highlights issues such as the confidentiality rights of transgender people to ensure their privacy is respected and acknowledges that the experience and needs of these colleagues will vary between individuals.

Director of HR at Irwin Mitchell, Andrea Preston, drafted the policy which has been reviewed and given the seal of approval by members of the transgender community within the legal profession.

She said:

The policy is being launched prior to Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on 20 November, an annual observance which honours the memory of those who have lost their lives in acts of anti-transgender violence.

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at Irwin Mitchell, click here.