As International Women’s Day approaches, litigation solicitor Laura Monti talks openly about the need for more workplaces to embrace the requirements of female employees
As we approach International Women’s Day on March 8th, the issue of gender diversity in the workplace continues to be highlighted as one which requires improvement.
The legal profession in particular appears to be moving in the right direction and is most certainly making meaningful and sustainable progress towards gender equality, with women making up 53% of solicitors practicing In England and Wales; exceeding men, and data showing that women are now outnumbering men two to one studying Law.
At first glance this all sounds promising, however further data collated by the Law Society shows that more still needs to be done to improve gender diversity of senior positions within the legal profession, with only a third of women making up Partner positions.
It’s important to highlight the importance of working for a company which advocates equality, particularly as a woman working in the legal profession.
Whilst International Women’s Day brings the need for gender diversity to the forefront, beyond the day itself, it is imperative for organisations to advocate gender balance all year round.
When considering women’s struggles to climb the senior rank, the approach to gender diversity taken by Morecrofts is positive, I’m glad to say.
One of my attractions to this firm, as a working mum of three children, is the reputation it holds as a business which advocates for female lawyers to advance their careers, with six out of nine current equity partners within the firm being women, and a high percentage of management in the firm also being female.
Of course, being female isn’t considered an advantage to career progression, however working for a business which demonstrates an understanding of barriers women face as their careers advance and putting strategies into place to overcome them was a conscious part of my career path.
Studies have shown that 70% of women who left their workplace said they would still be there had they been trusted with flexibility. For women in the workplace, flexible working arrangements can be the difference between a flourishing career with the ability to develop, and a career with stifled chances of progression due to lack of development opportunities.
Aside from flexibility and career progression, Morecrofts have taken positive steps to acknowledge the success of their female leaders through various awards nominations and profile projections as well as ensuring pay equality is at the forefront of its values.
This International Women’s Day, it felt like a good time to reflect on how employers play such a key role in our overall health and wellbeing – and Morecrofts are leading the way in the direction for gender equality.