Award underlines law firm’ s passion for fair pay for all
FEATURE
Winners – members of the victorious Square One Law Team( the five in the centre of the group) at the North East Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, with the event’ s hosts at each end.
FAIR AND
Award underlines law firm’ s passion for fair pay for all
Fairness – Square One Law’ s managing partner Gill Hunter chaired the British Chambers of Commerce ' s Workplace Equity Commission.
SQUARE
Commercial law firm Square One Law says being named People and Work Business of the Year at the prestigious North East Chamber of Commerce Business Awards is a fitting reward for its team’ s commitment to equality and diversity.
With offices in Darlington, Newcastle and Leeds, Square One Law supports businesses in the Tees Valley and beyond across areas such as corporate, commercial, property, employment and dispute resolution law.
As a values-led organisation with a team of more than 60 people, its focus is on treating clients’ businesses as if they were its own, while also creating a fair, inclusive and diverse culture.
The honour proved the high point of a fantastic evening, which provided a showcase for regional business talent, authenticity and a celebration of everything that’ s great about the North- East business community.
The national category award itself was, in part, recognition of Square One’ s outstanding commitment to creating a truly inclusive workplace.
It celebrates businesses that show determination to recruiting, training and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce, something Square One has embedded at the heart of its culture.
The firm’ s award-winning approach is built on equity, wellbeing and inclusion, empowering people across the business to drive growth and performance.
A Living Wage employer and certified B Corp, Square One Law aligns with the North East Combined Authority’ s SHINE
initiative( part of the New Deal for North East Workers), championing fair pay, flexibility and opportunity for all.
It is also an ISO 9001 and 27001-certified business, reflecting a commitment to security and excellence.
Partner and head of Square One’ s Employment team Jean Pierre( JP) Van Zyl, who led and worked as part of the team that implemented the people strategy, said:“ It’ s a real thrill to win this award, which I feel recognises how everyone at the firm not only buys into, but also strives to maintain, a progressive, inclusive and high-performing workplace.
“ Through smart recruitment, a flexible working model and supporting people to achieve, we have attracted and retained a diverse, super-talented and ambitious team, and this award is for everyone in the firm.”
Recognising the important contribution marginalised groups can bring to business, Square One champions social mobility and actively supports neurodiversity and disability inclusion.
It is a Disability Confident Committed and Mental Health at Work Committed employer, as well as a member of the Neurodiversity in Business network.
“ We are all unique – faith, gender identity and background all shape who we are,” added JP.
“ But it’ s in our differences, how we approach problems and how we see the world, that we find a fresh, positive perspective.
“ Fostering an inclusive culture is not only the right thing to do, it also drives measurable business success, improving retention, engagement and profitability.”
The company is a catalyst for change. Managing partner Gill Hunter last year chaired the British Chambers of Commerce’ s Workplace Equity Commission, which released a report outlining more than 40 recommendations for government and businesses that aim to create fairer, more inclusive and diverse workplaces.
Gill’ s work on the commission also helped focus support on the 5.5m UK SMEs in need of support to affect change in workplace equity.
Square One Law is proud to champion equity, diversity and inclusion – collaborating with clients, communities and partners to lead positive change.
With a strong focus on impact, the business sees environmental, social and governance policy and practice as an important part of its culture and has a continuing commitment to behave ethically and professionally, to contribute to the region’ s economic development, to offer a good-quality work environment and to support chosen charities and local community projects.
Interested in learning more? Visit squareonelaw. com or scan the QR code below.
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