London — Mayer Brown has today been ranked 66th in the Social Mobility Employer Index, the leading authority on social mobility workplace best practice in the UK. The ranking demonstrates Mayer Brown's ongoing commitment to social mobility in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The firm has taken active measures to advance social mobility, which include attracting applications from students in lower socio-economic groups through engagement programs with MyKindofFuture, All About School Leavers and Aspiring Solicitors; delivering raising aspiration events for disadvantaged students through its affinity networks and the provision of business services and legal apprenticeships as an alternative career paths for those who do not want to go to university.
Annette Sheridan, Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Mayer Brown, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has already widened educational and economic inequalities in society. Against this backdrop, businesses play a vital role in improving upward mobility through equal access to employment, training and development opportunities. We are delighted to be recognized in this year's Employers Index and are proud of the steps that we have taken to make the firm, and the opportunities it provides, accessible, inclusive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds. We look forward to continuing this work in collaboration with our external partners and clients, with whom we increasingly share best practice and ideas."
The Index, created by the Social Mobility Foundation in 2017, ranks UK employers on the actions they take to ensure they are open to, and progressing, talent from all backgrounds. It highlights the employers who are doing the most to change how they find, recruit, and advance talented employees from different social class backgrounds. Now in its fourth year, the Employer Index is the definitive benchmark of organizations committed to improving social mobility in the workplace.
Employers are assessed across seven key areas, including their work with young people, routes into the company, how they attract talent, recruitment and selection, data collection, progression, experienced hires, and advocacy.
Sarah Atkinson, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, said: “I am delighted that Mayer brown committed to entering the Index this year despite the challenges they have faced in the wake of the pandemic. Now more than ever, we need to see business play their part in the levelling up agenda.”
The Rt. Hon. Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility Foundation, added: “As the Covid-19 crisis continues and the UK descends into a sharp recession, more will need to be done to avoid a job catastrophe, for young people particularly. Already 60% of the jobs that have been lost since the pandemic began have been among 18-24 year olds.
"I urge those sectors of our economy that are not represented in this year’s Index to participate in 2021 and commit to joining the ranks of those employers who are already making such a difference to young people’s life chances.”
