Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

• We can undertake local and multijurisdictional pay audits (including our own in-house analysis of data) to identify potential exposure and advise on strategies to reduce legal risk. We can also advise on compensation policies and practices, and train your workforce (including managers, recruiters and others involved in making compensation decisions). We know confidentiality is paramount and take great care to ensure and protect legal privilege whenever possible.
• We have developed a specific solution for clients to use to support equal value analysis and compliance with the European Pay Transparency Directive. Our Equal Value Assessment tool enables you to conduct a standalone equal value analysis for the roles in your organization, with a view to identifying the correct groups within which to identify and report on pay gaps. We can review the results with you and provide recommendations and a remediation plan to help you prepare for the implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive.

 

"In 2024, women earned 83 cents for every dollar earned by men globally."
Statista, 7 October 2024

We do all we can to help multinational and domestic employers avoid litigation. When this is not possible, we also have deep experience defending employers in high-stakes local, cross-border and collective litigation, e.g., discrimination, harassment, pay transparency and related claims. Our experienced employment litigators regularly defend individual and class actions and challenges to pay practices. We partner with our clients to develop a strategic, cost-effective approach to proactively minimize risk and manage sensitive internal and external communications.

We conduct independent and thorough investigations for employers facing serious allegations of workplace misconduct and harassment including whistleblowing complaints. We focus on sensitive, high-stakes matters that involve the leadership ranks of an organization — board members, executive officers and management team members and key personnel. We advise on whistleblowing management and compliance and we review existing investigation procedures, conduct investigation file audits, and recommend changes to the investigative process and investigator training.

We can undertake a holistic review of an employer’s ID&E program and policies to identify areas of vulnerability and mitigate risk, providing employers with the policies and best practices necessary to achieve their inclusion and diversity program objectives. We review employer policies, handbooks, reporting and investigations procedures and Codes of Conduct to ensure compliance with applicable law. We counsel clients on developing and implementing effective and compliant diversity and inclusion strategies that protect the corporate brand and reputation, expand business opportunities and create a competitive advantage by strengthening relationships with customers, employees, stockholders, regulators and the general public.

Training tailored to your workforce for managers and non-managers. We can conduct customized training courses for your workplace, or if preferred, train the trainers responsible for doing so. General HR training we offer include:

• Anti-Discrimination / Anti-Harassment
• Global Respect and Dignity
• HR Data Management
• HR Disability Accommodations
• Internal Investigations Training for HR
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Managers and Employees
• Promoting and Creating an Inclusive Workplace