Richard Nelson LLP in UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2022

Having received our Great Place to Work® certification earlier this year, we have now been listed as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2022. Ranked as the 16th best workplace for women in the small business category (20-50 employees), Richard Nelson LLP was the highest-ranking law firm of its size.

To learn more about the award and some of the other top UK workplaces for women, visit the full results.

Criteria for the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2022 award

According to Great Place to Work®, this fantastic achievement recognises Richard Nelson’s efforts in:

• Working to prevent discrimination
• Placing positive value on our differences
• Creating fair access and advancement for all
• Fostering a sense of value and empowerment in employees.

In particular, this year’s awards have focused on issues such as gender equality, female representation across all levels of an organisation, fair treatment of employees, and helpful initiatives such as menopause support and shared parent leave.

The results were based on anonymous reports from women who work at Richard Nelson LLP. These reports shared details of the workplace experience of our female employees and how well represented they are in the workforce and management.

Initiatives to support women (and all employees) at Richard Nelson LLP

Whilst we’re certainly thrilled to have been named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2022, what we’re most proud of is the initiatives and culture that make us the company we are and helped us to win this award.

Our menopause policy

We understand that women experience the menopause and feel its impact in different ways. The transition may not be an easy process for everyone. For some, the physical, psychological and emotional effects can present challenges both at home and in the workplace.

As well as fostering a culture of candid and open discussion around the menopause, Richard Nelson LLP has a formalised policy in place to provide support to our employees during what can be a difficult time.

We encourage all employees to take full advantage of the support offered to them in relation to the menopause, including:

• Free therapy for all team members as part of the Employee Assistance Program (we also offer private health insurance to all employees)
• Adjustments to work where required
• Discrimination-free practices in relation to promotion, training, and absence due to menopausal symptoms.

All staff are made aware of this policy by their line managers, who make it clear that they are always happy to have informal and confidential chats about the menopause, its impact, and the need for adjustments at any stage.

Flexible working for every team member

Our flexible working policy is valued by employees at all levels of the firm – and is not just limited to staff whose family commitments make it difficult for them to work regular hours. As part of our remote working consultancy model, we allow everyone to work according to a schedule that suits them and from a location of their choice.

The recent anonymous survey conducted as part of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2022 award showed that many of our female colleagues see our flexible approach as one of the greatest benefits of working for Richard Nelson LLP:

“Their flexible working policy helps me to manage family commitments, making the work/life balance easier.”

The organisation’s approach to pregnancy loss

Although we do not have a formal policy in place in relation to pregnancy loss, everyone in our team from the top down has a deep understanding of the impact this can have on the lives of individuals and their families. 

We adopt a sensitive, confidential approach to pregnancy loss. Line managers are flexible in terms of offering any adjustments to work or full paid leave that an employee may need to help them get through what can be one of the most challenging times of their life.

Equality at all levels

Everyone at Richard Nelson LLP is treated equally regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, age, or position within the firm. The anonymous responses to the recent award survey highlighted that our culture of equality and engagement with employees is something that female colleagues value highly:

“Management are actively involved with their employees. We see them on a regular basis and their door is quite literally always open. They are so approachable and have really taken the time to get to know me. No matter our roles, we are made to feel as integral as those in higher positions.”

Our response to the award

Managing partner, Marie Dancer, was overjoyed that the firm has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2022:

“I am delighted for us to have received this award and to be recognised as the UK’s best law firm of our size to work for as a woman. We strive to ensure that everyone at Richard Nelson LLP can reach their full potential regardless of their gender or any other characteristic – and our policies and cultures speak volumes in this regard.

 “Women are a valuable talent pool and are often underrepresented in senior positions in law firms, so we prioritise equality in recruitment, selection, and promotion. As our flexible working policy demonstrates, we also want to ensure that women can work here and still fulfil family commitments.”

More information on the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2022 award

The UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2022 award is all about recognising organisations that offer a consistent employee experience for all. It was established with the aim of ensuring that all employees are treated fairly, regardless of gender, and rewards companies that go the extra mile with policies to support women’s wellbeing.

The award is also designed to tackle problems like the gender pay gap, incorporating wage equality into its criteria. This remains a pressing issue today: female employees are still payed just 90p for every pound earned by male employees on average, highlighting the important role of the work being done by Great Place to Work® in wider society.

Other key issues addressed by the award included:

• Breaking the barriers and stigmas around Shared Parental Leave
• Promoting women in the workplace
• Flexible working
• Initiatives around menopause

If you’d like to learn more about the award and the company behind it, visit the Great Place to Work® website – you can even download a full copy of the 2022 report.