Sills & Betteridge LLP

Diversity & Inclusion – Opportunities For All

Sills & Betteridge LLP fully embraces diverse characteristics, experiences and outlooks in the workplace and in the communities in which we practice.

We aim to always deliver a fair and consistent approach to everyone regardless of their age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, culture, health, disability, relationship, family circumstances or any other characteristic.

We believe that by understanding and promoting the principles of non-discrimination and equality in our business we can provide colleagues, clients, visitors and suppliers of the firm a richer, more supportive and effective environment in which to serve and be served.

How do we do this? A brief illustration:

• Equality & Diversity Policy

This is regularly reviewed and circulated and helps drive effective implementation of the firm’s diversity principles, and compliance with any changing employment laws.

• Equal Opportunities for All

Fair’s Fair - the firm has a universal approach to recruitment and selection, learning and development, opportunities for promotion, pay and benefits, conditions of service, disciplinary and grievance and termination of employment

Alternative Routes to Qualification – Solicitor and Paralegal Apprenticeships, CILEx and other earn while you learn programmes are fully endorsed by the firm and actively promoted and rolled out by the Training Partner, HR and Recruitment teams as a means of providing opportunities to those for who do not wish to pursue the university route

The firm’s current Senior Partner Karen Bower-Brown is female, the first in its 280 year history

• Health & Wellbeing:

Flexible Working – home working and flexible working to promote a healthy work-life balance and support those with caring responsibilities

Mental Health Training – this is rolled out across the firm to enable the appointment of Mental Health First Aiders across the firm - and additionally for Managers - to help them to identify and support colleagues with mental health issues

Menopause – the firm has now introduced a menopause policy to raise awareness of associated issues in the workplace and to outline how colleagues should be supported should their output and behaviour be impacted

Corporate Health Plan – employees can access a range of counselling and other therapies, treatments and medical advice at discounted rates

• Corporate Social Responsibility:

Community Support – we are involved with a number of charities and good causes where we seek to help the disadvantaged in the community. We regularly provide financial and other support to foodbanks, domestic abuse charities and hospices. We assist with outreach legal clinics and programmes to help young victims of abuse and by way of sponsorship, we help minority sport inc youth, over 50s walking football and women’s football teams and events

• Communications:

Legal Service and Recruitment Advertising – the firm’s messaging and imagery aims to reflect our position on inclusivity across all channels

All Sills & Betteridge partners and staff are expected to treat each other with respect and understanding. We encourage open discussion and feedback from anyone who feels that any of our business practices do not align with our Diversity and Inclusion values.