Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
Fostering a diverse and inclusive environment delivers benefits for our people, our clients and the communities in which we live and work. As socially responsible legal practitioners, we know that embracing the power of diverse perspectives drives creativity and innovation, generating constructive new ideas and connections.
We focus on making a difference within our firm, and externally by supporting legal education and a range of community initiatives.
Within our firm
As an equal opportunities employer we promote diversity and cultural awareness.
We monitor gender balance across our workforce and currently have 42% female representation in our partner (senior management) team. Across all staff, the gender balance is 65% female, 33% male (2% unspecified).
We have an Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) committee empowered to ensure our policies lead to action in the way we work. A subgroup focuses on implementing EDI initiatives , which include holding awareness-raising seminars and adapting precedent documents to include more gender-neutral options. We review and update our policies regularly, introducing practical changes to meet staff needs. A recent example saw the firm enhance its maternity pay policy to provide more support to employees during maternity leave.
In legal education
By partnering with universities, we help students from diverse and under-represented backgrounds to access legal education and mentorship. Hayes supports:
- Partners in Diversity at UCD’s Sutherland School of Law – sponsoring the Hayes Solicitors Cothrom na Féinne Scholarship.
- DCU’s Access to the Workplace Programme – providing annual donations over four years to fund scholarships for five access students.
- Trinity Women in Law forum, a Trinity College Dublin Law Society initiative to empower women and gender monitories in law and law-related fields – providing mentorship.
In our communities
Hayes actively supports professional, social and community voluntary and charitable initiatives. Examples include:
- Signing up to The Law Society of Ireland’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, a public commitment by legal practices to promote the values of diversity and inclusion.
- Providing pro bono consultancy services and supporting equal access to justice as a founding member of the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA) .
- Supporting a range of gender and equality charities and initiatives, including Focus Ireland’s Women’s Philanthropy Circle, the Women’s Mini-Marathon, International Women’s Day, and Pride.
Environmental Sustainability
As a forward-thinking firm, we are committed to being a sustainable business. We recognise and take responsibility for our impact on society and build sustainably responsible business practices into our decision making.
Social, charity and giving back
Hayes seeks opportunities to make positive contributions – financially, socially and economically – to our workforce, clients and the community at large. We encourage and facilitate employees in giving their time and expertise to help local initiatives and charity. We encourage and support corporate giving and charitable donations, sponsorship and pro bono services. Hayes and its people are committed to giving back.
Social Committee
Through a highly active Social Committee, Hayes encourages firm-wide involvement by employees at all levels in a wide range of social initiatives focused on the welfare of staff and the wider community. The Social Committee’s calendar includes sports, wellbeing programmes, social outings, a workplace choir and charitable fund raising.
Gender Pay Gap Report
Hayes solicitors – Gender Pay Gap Report 2024 – Here