Leading international law firm, Clifford Chance has announced that it has signed up to The Valuable 500, a global business to business initiative, that strives to put disability inclusion on the global business leadership agenda. The firm joins other multi-national organizations such as HSBC, Microsoft and Unilever in pledging its commitment to 'unlocking the business, social and economic value of the 1.3 billion people living with disabilities around the world'.
The Valuable 500 will announce the full list of organisations participating at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. As part of the initiative, Clifford Chance has agreed to commit to:
- Continuing to raise awareness, provide support and increase accessibility for the firm on a global level
- Ensuring its recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all
- Communicating and promoting vacancies
- Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
- Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
- Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work
- At least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people.
Tiernan Brady, Global Director of Inclusion at Clifford Chance, said: "No one should ever feel they can’t be a full and equal member of the firm because of a disability. We see inclusion as a matter of justice and as an intrinsic value. The breadth of wisdom and perspective that people with different life experiences can bring to our firm across the globe only makes us stronger and better at what we do. However, to benefit from the perspectives of our people who have disabilities we have to constantly strive to deliver an equality of opportunity and daily experience for them. I am really pleased that we have the opportunity to support this important initiative, which is a critical element of our drive to make our workplace as inclusive as possible."
Matthew Layton, Managing Partner at Clifford Chance, added: “I am delighted that we are signing up to support the inspirational and ground breaking work of Valuable 500. This represents another important element of our continued commitment to the truly inclusive workplace in which each and every colleague can thrive.”