Legal firms are encouraged to pledge their names to GEDI – the Law Society Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter - as part of a concerted effort to nurture a culture of inclusion, mutual respect and equal opportunities within the legal profession.
Individual solicitors can make a critical contribution by enquiring whether their firm has signed up to GEDI and by encouraging their employers to do so.
Gender equality, diversity and inclusion impacts on everything we do and should be incorporated into workplace policies, services and processes. The GEDI Charter is based on the Law Society's Diversity and Inclusion Statement - that can be accessed here.
Firms signing up to the GEDI undertake to treat all individuals and groups of individuals fairly and equally and no less favourably, specific to their needs, in areas of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, race, class, disability or membership of the Traveller Community.
Signatories:
- Recognise the individual needs of those they employ, and support them to develop to their full potential.
- Ensure equal access to opportunities for those they employ.
- Ensure their policies, procedures and processes promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Carry out their work without bias, in a respectful and non-discriminatory manner.
- Build awareness and understanding of the benefits of promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Assign responsibility for meeting the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter commitments to a named senior partner or member of staff.
The GEDI Chartered can be signed up to online. Employers can do this here.