This year, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) increased transparency on performance and remuneration programs based on employee feedback heard during its organisational change initiative, #FutureFit. The firm was also named as a Workplace Gender Equality Agency Employer of Choice for Gender Equality for the third consecutive year in 2019.
HSF is committed to career development and providing training and coaching opportunities. It launched its new online learning management system, Learning Hub through which achievements to date have included: Over 3,950 internal learning and development sessions run across all offices; and 3,852 different online learning courses completed in the last 12 months. HSF also launched its Innovation 10 initiative allowing employees to spend up to 10 days per year working on innovative projects.
The firm has also introduced new initiatives to support the physical and mental wellbeing of its staff including: a Global Health and Wellbeing Hub to help people achieve and maintain personal and workplace goals. Mental Health Champions: A mental health mentor program to provide support and help normalise everyday conversations on the subject. The mentors are volunteers from across the business who have received basic training on mental health conditions and are available to support colleagues. HSF has also piloted an Australian extension of the firm’s pledge to the UK Mindful Business Charter including mindfulness sessions and launched an onsite psychologist service for its people.
