News & Views

Join EcoAct on Wednesday, June 2nd for an online discussion ab out how digital technology and green IT are essential tools to help businesses and organisations reduce their climate impact, protect their data, and move towards net zero. 

Leading independent Australian law firm Hall & Wilcox and its Frank Lab accelerator program have partnered with One Roof, a network of female leaders and entrepreneurs to provide dedicated support and assistance to women in startups and scaleups, and to reduce barriers to entry for women in growth businesses. READ MORE

The proposed Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will require 50,000 European companies with greater than 500 employees to provide audited reporting on their sustainability performance.

This increase in transparency is aimed at balancing the flow of capital towards sustainable investments. READ MORE.

An article from the UN states that while the COVID vaccine may herald a possible return to the workplace, many companies have signalled a wish to retain some degree of home working. This article considers the additional stress of working from home and its affect on metal health and what to consider with full-blown return to work. See also a study by the International Labour Organisation about this.

Engaging with aboriginal culture and people is a important to us all, both as law firm leaders and as individuals. The Institute of Community Directors Australia is hosting a webinar  providing guidance on respectful dialogue with First Nations peoples and communities. 

The webinar will explore a range of topics and themes including understanding and taking responsibility for our shared history, cultural safe places, removal of barriers, building relationships and implementing small but meaningful steps. Register HERE 

AusLSA's 2020 Sustainability Insight showed that while 72 percent of firms had formal workplace giving programs in place, only 28 percent monitored participation by employees.

If you want to know how to more effectively manage your programs and make them more impactful, Workplace Giving Australia is holding a free webinar on Apr 27, 2021 02:00 PM that will share creative ideas that organisations have implemented for their teams and will review the free online resources that are available. Register HERE

We have been using terms like 'carbon neutrality' and 'net zero' almost interchangeably of late, but what about 'carbon negative' and 'the journey to net zero'. The terminology seems to be shifting.

See this great article which de-mystifies the words and hopefully provides some clarity.

The 7th National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey, released in February 2021 highlights a continued trend of varied and high quality pro bono work being undertaken. Despite the impact of COVID-19 respondents to the survey have posted a record number of pro bono hours and continue to focus on the most vulnerable members of our society and their supporting organisations. Despite this pleasing result, they say that there is still room for pro bono growth within large firms.

Read the media release HERE.

The Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards is an event celebrating and awarding Australia’s top organisations for LGBTQ inclusion. It's a great endorsement for the program that tickets to attend in person are already sold out... but to calm your FOMO you can still purchase tickets to livestream the event or watch SBS World News Friday 28 May 2021.

Register HERE

If you are looking for an update and some learned experiences from those implementing Modern Slavery management systems then this seminar is wel worth checking out including 

• An update on Modern Slavery Statements from The Australian Border Force & Informed 365
• Key learnings from statements submitted so far
• Expectations for 2021/2022 reporting