The Women’s Work Lab Meets...Burges Salmon

As we approach the start of the Women’s Work Lab training we have been chatting to some of the Bristol businesses who are offering five week part-time voluntary work placements to participants. Kirsty Green-Mann is Head of Corporate Responsibility at the law firm Burges Salmon.

What does your business do?

“We are a UK independent commercial law firm, providing a range of legal services to a variety of clients ranging from large businesses to public sector bodies and some individual people. We work in areas including real estate, employment, corporate, banking, commercial, dispute resolution and projects.

Around half of the 800 people that work here are business service professionals. So that means they are not actually lawyers but instead they work in areas like operations, finance, IT, marketing or the people team.

We pride ourselves on an inclusive, friendly culture where teamwork is highly valued.

Why do you believe it is important to have a diverse workforce?

“It is so important to have a vibrant mix of people in a business. It helps talent to flourish, supports engagement and means that we are able to put the best ideas forward.

Having an inclusive workplace is important to everyone that works here. It is also important to our clients. Within our diversity and inclusion agenda, we have a focus on various aspects, including gender, disability, LGBT+ and race. We celebrate difference and look to hold each other up.

How do you currently support working parents?

“There are so many different ways that Burges Salmon supports working parents. Some of these include the obvious such as paid maternity and paternity leave. We also feel very strongly about supporting flexible working arrangements, guidance and support from service providers ‘MyFamily’, childcare vouchers, discount offers and employee memberships.

Why are you keen to work with the Women’s Work Lab?

“We have a long standing commitment to responsible business and want to be a force for good in the city of Bristol where the majority of our people live and work.

We are committed to social mobility, diversity and inclusion and community partnerships. We like that the Women’s Work Lab is passionate about supporting women find work and developing aspirations for a career. We see the support of women having wider benefits for their families and the community. Developing employability skills provides long-term change and is therefore something we feel really strongly about supporting.

What can WWL participants expect from a placement at Burges Salmon?

“Participants can expect a warm welcome and friendly people. It is a professional work environment with high standards but we like to have fun too. We are lucky to have super offices that have been designed to a fantastic specification, with great views from the 5th floor, a water front location and conveniently near Temple Meads and a short walk to the city centre. Food is important at Burges Salmon and we have our fabulous Glasswork’s restaurant with a wide choice of dishes. There’s also a cake trolley on Friday!

The WWL participant will be well supported and have the opportunity to use their initiative too. We want them to feel comfortable and succeed. We’re a busy office so there is plenty to get stuck into and all admin support is very much valued!”

Burges Salmon City Centre Offices