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Diversity and inclusion

Diversity creates strength. We draw on different ways of thinking and different experiences to provide a better service to clients.

When we create an inclusive workplace, we support everyone to be at their best. We can draw on the strength our diversity brings. That's why MinterEllison's award-winning diversity and inclusion programs are central to our culture. We're a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality and an Australian Workplace Equality Index Gold Employer. We focus on the following key areas of diversity and inclusion, each with its own program, to drive awareness and inclusion capability across the firm.

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MinterEllison is committed to integrating cultural diversity into all that we do, and in progressing cultural diversity in the legal profession. We celebrate the diverse races, religions, ethnicities and national origins of our people, including multicultural days of significance.

MinterEllison is a committed corporate member of the Asian Leadership Project, which was launched with the aim to fast-track diverse Asian talent into leadership.

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We have an important role to play to make our workplace accessible for clients and colleagues with disabilities, and to encourage greater employment opportunities for all people with disability.  This includes developing internal policies and support structures to ensure an accessible workplace and work practices that allow for successful and sustainable employment for people with disability.

We aim to create a workplace and working culture that is inclusive and accessible for our people with disability and to ensure that our information and technology is accessible for all. We aim to provide accessible legal and consulting services to our clients with disability and to build strong relationships with key community stakeholders to raise awareness and support people with a disability.

We celebrate key days of significance such as the International Day of People with a Disability and provide education resources and support to employees with caring responsibilities for people with a disability.

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At the core of our firm is a commitment to equal treatment of all of our employees. 65% of our total workforce are women.

"As a firm, we're committed to gender equality as a strategic imperative. This includes commitments to equal pay, leadership representation, agile working, and a workplace free from bullying, discrimination and harassment. At a personal level, I'm very proud to be a member of the Champions of Change Coalition, reflecting my commitment to gender equality and advancing more and diverse women into leadership, including at our firm."

Virginia Briggs, MinterEllison CEO and Managing Partner

We have a number of programs in place to address gender imbalance in our leadership, and to remove obstacles to people's full participation and advancement. These include:

  • targets, such as our 40:40:20 by 2025 target – 40% women, 40% men and 20% any gender – represented in our board and partnership by 2025
  • a program for emerging female leaders who show high potential
  • the WISE network, supporting women's inclusion
  • a commitment to a bullying and harassment free workplace
  • a generous parental leave policy.

We also participate in:

  • the Law Council of Australia's Gender Equitable Briefing program
  • the Champions of Change network.

Our Pro Bono and community program includes longstanding partnerships with charities supporting key issues affecting women, such as domestic and family violence.

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MinterEllison established PRIME (Pride, Respect and Inclusion at MinterEllison), a network which focuses on creating an inclusive and safe workplace for our LGBTQ+, non-binary, gender diverse and intersex people. We celebrate LGBTQ+ key days of significance across the firm, including IDAHOBIT, Wear It Purple and Pride Month. Read our PRIME annual report.

In addition, PRIME established a network for our LBTQ+ women, with the purpose to provide a safe and respectful supportive space for conversation, feedback and open expression. This network is welcoming of our colleagues who are trans, non-binary and gender diverse.

MinterEllison is committed to supporting all employees who are considering or undertaking gender affirmation, and to ensuring that the process of presenting in line with your gender identity is as smooth, safe, positive and inclusive as possible.

We provide up to 5 days' paid special leave per year for employees undergoing gender affirmation as well as a wardrobe allowance and work with Pride In Diversity to support our employees with sensitivity and care.

MinterEllison is the proud pro bono legal adviser for over 20 years for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and have marched in the Mardi Gras Parade since 2020.

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We provide parents and caregivers with support and understanding. This approach is underpinned by a policy suite that offers flexibility for people experiencing caring challenges. We offer programs of support for:

  • parenting, pregnancy loss and fertility treatment
  • caring for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability
  • caring for an older person.

We work with community and corporate partners such as Karitane, Pink Elephants, CancerAid and many more to provide vital programs to our people.

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https://www.minterellison.com/about-us/diversity-and-inclusion

Spotlight on Diversity and Inclusion 2022 report

Our Spotlight on Diversity and Inclusion celebrates all that we have achieved, and the progress we have made, in building an inclusive, diverse and supportive culture at MinterEllison.

VIEW REPORT

AWEI Gold Employer 2022
WGEA