We embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Our supportive and inclusive culture sustains our diverse, engaged and high performing team.
We have defined our vision for diversity and inclusion as a feeling. We want everyone who works at Corrs to feel like this:
“I belong. I bring my whole self to work. I feel connected, valued and empowered to succeed.”
Individuals don’t fit into neat categories, and no one group within our community is more or less important than another. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion includes gender equality, indigenous inclusion, cultural diversity, LGBTIQ+ inclusion, flexible working and accessibility.
Gender Equality
Corrs continues to be recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). We are committed to gender equality in our workplace, which drives more diverse ideas and thinking, higher productivity and enhanced outcomes for our clients.
Key policies and programs for achieving this include market-leading parental leave entitlements for all carers regardless of gender, including payment of superannuation contributions during paid and unpaid parental leave and support during the transition to and from parental leave. We offer senior female lawyers executive coaching, mentoring and networking opportunities, regularly provide school holiday care programs for working parents, and undertake analysis and actions to address equity in pay, professional development opportunities and promotion.
Our CEO Gavin MacLaren has committed to the Panel Pledge – pledging to increase the visibility and contribution of women leaders in public and professional forums.
LGBTIQ+ Inclusion
Corrs has been recognised by Pride In Diversity's Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) as a Silver Employer in 2019 and Bronze Employer 2017-2018.
We have a strong and ongoing commitment to LGBTIQ+ inclusion amongst our people, our clients and the broader community. [email protected] is an open network for our LGBTIQ+ employees and allies.
We are a member of Australia’s leading LGBTIQ+ employer organisation, Pride in Diversity, and a Gold Sponsor of Midsumma – Victoria’s premier LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural festival. We offer LGBTIQ+ awareness and ally training, undertake pro bono advice and support for many LGBTIQ+ affiliated organisations, and have a Gender Affirmation Policy, reflecting our support for our transgender community.
Cultural Diversity
Our culture, values and leadership ensure open acceptance and celebration of cultural diversity.
In 2017, we signed a cultural diversity commitment with members of the Managing Partners’ Diversity Initiative to improve cultural diversity in the profession collectively and within our respective firms.
We track cultural diversity data at all levels, recognise and celebrate key cultural and religious dates, and actively support external membership bodies such as the Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA), which promotes cultural diversity in the law.
Indigenous Inclusion
We support meaningful reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of Australia, and have formalised this commitment through our 2021-2023 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our RAP aims to increase opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to participate in legal education and careers, while also developing our engagement with the wider Indigenous community.
Corrs was one of 18 law firms to declare support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2019, recognising it as a historic mandate to create a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood and a next step towards reconciliation.
Flexibility
We believe flexible working is a key driver of diversity, and is critical to workplace effectiveness, employee engagement and long-term business sustainability. We have established flexibility as standard business practice and an option for all our people, including partners.
It doesn’t matter what stage you’re at in your life and career – flexible working at Corrs applies to all roles, regardless of age or gender, and is not limited to enabling caring responsibilities. We provide an array of options, from mobile and remote working to altered hours and shared roles and responsibilities.
Accessibility
We design all our buildings and systems around our people, ensuring they are accessible from both a physical and technological perspective.
Physical and Psychological Wellbeing
We provide support, coaching and confidential counselling across a wide range of areas, including general wellbeing, holistic support, and manager-specific support.
Partnerships and Sponsorship
Genuine shifts in diversity and inclusion take more than an internal effort – they require societal change. We are taking an active role to drive impact beyond the firm and have developed a strong network of diversity and inclusion partners with whom we regularly partner, sponsor or support. These include:
- SBE Australia
- Diverse Womens’ Mentoring Association
- Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) – member and supporter
- Midsumma Festival
- Indigenous Literacy Foundation
- Diversity Council Australia
- Pride in Diversity
- Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA)
- Supply Nation
- Kinaway
- Human Rights Global Compact
- African Australian Lawyers Association
Corrs has once again been recognised as a Diversity Council Australia Inclusive Employer 2021-2022, for demonstrating its active commitment to diversity and inclusion and achieving results that exceed the National Index Benchmark on various inclusion measures.
