Moreover, the ability to draw on a variety of perspectives to solve problems enhances innovation and creativity and helps businesses be responsive to the needs of their employees, partners, customers and communities.
The team at Mayer Brown is here to help. Successfully developing and implementing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program, and responding to DEI-related issues, often gives rise to business, legal and practical challenges. Mayer Brown lawyers draw on the firm's global reach and extensive experience to help businesses craft practical strategies and solutions that minimize risk and advance each client's unique values and needs.
Members of our team are also involved in the firm’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and serve in leadership roles in committees across the Americas, Asia and Europe. View Mayer Brown’s diversity and inclusion philosophy, mission statement and initiatives.
Core Capabilities
Strategic Consulting
We regularly provide strategic counseling to companies on the development of policies and procedures to address DEI issues and help companies craft and implement successful DEI programs. We also help clients analyze their current employee DEI-related metrics, identify areas for improvement (such as recruitment and retention), and develop and implement necessary changes.
Environmental, Social and Governance.
A diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace is becoming a top focus for human resources management from an environmental, social and governance (ESG) and non-financial reporting perspective. Diversity and inclusion are one key aspect of the evolving social dimension of ESG and the respective regulations. We have extensive experience guiding clients through this increasingly complex and developing landscape.
Pay Equity Counseling, Analysis, and Litigation
Pay equity studies and litigation center around the pay gaps that have been documented in the market between female employees and male employees in many countries, as well as white employees and employees of other races. We consult with our clients in the structuring of equitable pay systems and analysis of pay equity gaps in their workforce and work closely with world class statistical experts. We also defend investigations and litigation centered on pay and promotion equity.
Workplace Training
Workplace training is a key component of any DEI initiative. We work with clients to produce and present training materials for both supervisory and non-supervisory employees on DEI issues including:
- Discrimination and harassment
- Respect in the workplace and workplace bullying
- Unconscious bias
- Effective communication techniques
- Inclusive workplace development
Internal Investigations
Our highly experienced workplace investigations team conducts thorough, insightful and discreet investigations and—where appropriate—identifies internal policies, procedures or practices that may have been misapplied or unenforced. We routinely detail steps that a company should—or must—take to prevent future occurrences and recommend remedial actions to regain trust and demonstrate accountability to employees, clients and the general public.
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP Audits and Compliance)
We have extensive experience advising companies on affirmative action obligations applicable to US federal government contractors and represent companies in Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) audit proceedings.
Litigation
We are skilled at defending employers against all manner of employment-discrimination and harassment complaints, both in court and before administrative agencies.