Reading time: 4 minsWe recently caught up with Manon at Bristows to find out more about the firm’s Disability and Neurodivergence Network.
Please introduce yourself and your journey into your role at Bristows
My name is Manon. I joined Bristows in August 2021 as a Trainee Solicitor and qualified as an Associate in the Employment team in September 2023. Before becoming a lawyer I originally studied Biology at the University of Bath and worked at a leading multinational pharmaceutical company for three years in sales and marketing roles.
Why did you want to join Bristows over other firms?
With a science degree and my previous background working in the pharmaceutical industry, I was attracted to working alongside likeminded individuals and for clients within the life sciences and technology sectors. However, as a full service firm, I was excited to explore a variety of seats during my training contract as I was initially interested in both intellectual property and employment law.
Throughout the application process, Bristows also stood out as a firm where I would be encouraged to bring my true-self to work. There is a genuine commitment to embracing differences and creating an inclusive and supportive culture. I knew this empowering environment would enable me to thrive and achieve my best.
Please could you give us a general insight into what diversity, and inclusion looks like at Bristows?
Bristows has a true commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our dedicated Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Manager heads up DE&I activities across the firm.
There are a variety of networks that colleagues can get involved with. In addition to the Disability and Neurodivergence Network others include: the Women’s Network, the Turing Network (a forum for LGBT+ people and allies), the Lyda Network (dedicated to celebrating ethnicities, race and culture), the Families and Carers Network and the Social Mobility & Communities Group. The Inclusion Group brings all of these together, with its purpose being to consider practical ways to promote and advance the firm’s DE&I strategy.
Through these networks, the firm introduces a number of successful initiatives. For example, the Lyda Network launched the “My name is” campaign in 2023 to highlight the importance of pronouncing names correctly. Names are a significant part of our identity and heritage so repeated mispronunciation can negatively impact an individual’s feelings. As a result of the campaign, all colleagues who wish to participate can upload a recording of the correct pronunciation of their name both to the internal intranet as well as to their profile on the firm’s external website.
Raising awareness and encouraging positive change comes in all forms, from monthly posts on the intranet of upcoming religious and cultural events or holidays that colleagues may be celebrating or observing, to organised events such as the Diwali Bake-Off. The firm also regularly hosts internal and external events to support DE&I initiatives, such as the Thriving in Law networking event.
There are ways in which a professional working environment does not accommodate the needs of disabled and neurodivergent people. When people struggle with things that others around them seem to find effortless, the workplace can be inaccessible, intimidating and overwhelming unless specific and meaningful adjustments are made.
The Disability and Neurodivergence Network at Bristows was established to help facilitate and foster an inclusive, supportive, and accommodating workplace for all. This is for the benefit not only of disabled or neurodivergent people at Bristows, but also other colleagues who are working with and/or managing them. As well as those at Bristows who care for disabled or neurodivergent people.
The network believes that a more inclusive, supportive and accommodating workplace also benefits our clients, because we are able to provide a better and more dynamic and more capable service.
The network was established, and is now run, by a committed panel of 15 committee members from across all parts of the firm, who all have a personal and professional interest in raising awareness of, and addressing the equality, diversity and inclusion issues at Bristows for those with disabilities and/or neurodivergence. A wider group of 36 members also contribute to and support with the network’s activities.
How does this network support employees at Bristows?
Membership of the network is open to all employees. In particular people with disabilities and/or neurodivergence and allies with a particular interest in supporting the network are encourages to join and contribute to the network’s activities.
The primary purpose of the network is to act as an advocate for positive change in addressing DE&I challenges for employees with disabilities or neurodivergence. The network will provide support to colleagues, raise issues with management, share best practices across the firm, build external connections (for example with speakers and third-party providers), suggest initiatives such as hosting networking events and establishing links with other groups, as well as raising awareness and disseminating knowledge across the firm.
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to add on diversity at Bristows or anything else more generally?
There are a lot of amazing initiatives run by fellow colleagues at Bristows who are passionate about diversity and inclusion. Despite this, the firm continues to encourage and foster new ideas, networks, events and initiatives that anyone may have. This is exciting as it makes a great place to work even better, while also enabling colleagues to take ownership of ideas that they may have that really shape our day to day working environment and culture in a meaningful way. Giving employees this autonomy helps to drive the success of the firm’s DE&I initiatives and networks.