Society advice on SRA diversity data
The Law Society has published a practice note to help firms and sole practitioners comply with regulatory new requirements to collect data on the diversity of their workforce.
Data to be reported include job status and role as well as age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and caring responsibilities. Data will be collected by an online survey. Firms will be contacted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to confirm numbers of employees and to distribute login details for an anonymous online questionnaire.
The practice note sets out the context for the SRA requirement and its implications, including on data protection issues.
Mehrunnisa Lalani, the SRA’s director of inclusion, said: ‘We appreciate this is extra effort for the regulated community, but we hope you will work with us to fulfil this requirement as it brings with it potential benefits. It will provide us with an accurate picture of the diversity profile of the legal workforce, allowing gaps to be identified over a period of time.’
Law Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff said: ‘The Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter already provides guidance and support on how to collect, monitor, store and publish data. The new requirement will provide for consistent collection of diversity data across the profession, helping practices to review the make up of their workforces and to identify opportunities to develop greater diversity.
'It also will help the Law Society to meet better the needs of our diverse membership and to promote greater diversity in the profession.’
Comments
Options not to reply
I hope there will be an option to say 'I choose not to provide this information'
I do not see that it is any of the SRA's business what my age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and caring responsibilities are.
This is almost as bad as the information the Lloyds Panel are requesting and the form you are required to sign as part of that.
Survey
I of course applaud any measure to encourage diversity in the profession. But if I were a cynical white male partner of an all white male firm in some part of rural England, would there be anything stopping me complete the (presumably anonymous) survey with totally spurious information? And will the survey be skewed by higher response rates in those very groups who are more conscious of diversity issues due to their own gender, race, disability, age, religion or sexuality? I am not sure that this survey is the answer
Diversity advice
If the SRA is truly interested in diversity then maybe it should set out quotas for the introduction of some honest competent solicitors into the legal profession..
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If your dream does not grow beyond your imagination it is probably not big enough. Be a high achiever, prosper and never settle for less, regardless of your gender, religion, race e.t.c
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
Never wait for anyone to do anything for you that you can do for yourself.