South: Coffin Mew announces new strategy on gender equality and agile working

Regional law firm Coffin Mew, based across the South Coast and Thames Valley, and recently recognised as a ‘star performer’ for growth in The Lawyer UK 200, has announced a new employee offering, with gender equality and agile working at the heart of its proposition to attract and retain the region’s best talent.

With recent statistics* showing 75% of UK employees favour flexible working, and over 40% of UK workers saying they don’t have enough time for friends and family, the need for employers to recognise that top performance requires a flexible approach has never been greater.

“The way we attract and retain the best has changed,” said Coffin Mew’s HR director Liz Cheaney. “Coffin Mew wants to challenge the stereotype of law firm working – we already offer a relaxed dress down approach and flexible working. But now we are really putting equality and diversity at the forefront of our people strategy by being proudly transparent with our gender pay gap information; implementing new policies to address gender related role stereotypes and antiquated societal expectations of women and men as parents and carers; enhancing the element of choice in our benefits package;  and involving our employees in contributing to our innovation strategy.”

The package aligns with Coffin Mew’s new business strategy for growth and vision – best people and innovation, to deliver great results for every client. It centres around a ‘Best People Deal’ containing promises made to employees in return for their productivity, focus on excellence and delivery of great results for every client.

Cheaney added: “We believe that 70% of the client’s brand experience is determined by our employee’s brand experience, so as a firm committed to putting clients at the centre of all we do, it’s crucial that out employee offering is attractive and credible for our people.

“Our new offering is the result of 12 months of discussion and collaboration with our staff and partners, and is based on four pillars: engagement, excellence, productivity and well-being. It is designed to impact positively on staff well-being and performance, as well as client experience and results and therefore makes perfect business sense! It’s the whole deal “Best People” expect and forward-thinking firms require.”

Coffin Mew already has an extensive and competitive reward package, including a range of health and well-being benefits, but has enhanced and improved that offering to reflect its commitment to developing a truly agile work place and to start to address the gender role stereotypes, which are a significant cause of the gender pay gap.

CEO Miles Brown said: “We are very proud of our recent accolades and strong growth, being recognised as a Star Performer in The Lawyer UK 200 and named as a finalist in the Law Society’s Excellence Awards as Law Firm of the Year (Medium Firm). None of this is possible without the commitment and hard work of our talented staff and it is only right we reward that with a leading edge offering for them.”