Work with us

We developed and agreed a set of five values in 2013, and they were reviewed and refreshed following colleague consultation in 2021. The five fundamental values remained unchanged, however their descriptive taglines were updated.   Our values can be applied to everything we do, whether it's having a meeting with a colleague or launching a report to be seen by our members and the public.

Respect

Treating everyone with consideration, dignity and professionalism, being mindful of their wellbeing

Openness

Being approachable, responsive and transparent in the way we work and operate

Progress

Continually learning, innovating and improving

Integrity

Being fair, ethical and accountable

Inclusion

Here at the Law Society, we strive to look for people across both our staff roles and committees who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experience, and who have a passion and commitment to further all of our work for our members and the public.

During our recruitment process, all candidates are assessed against the same criteria and every effort is made to give them an equal opportunity, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, marital or family status, race, nationality, ethic origin, disability, religion or belief, age or membership/non membership of a trade union.

We are particularly looking to broaden the interests, diversity and character of our committees to ensure our work continues to reflect Scotland’s legal profession and Scottish society.

We welcome applications from individuals whose lives or professional experience can make a valuable contribution to our work. We would especially welcome applications from people who belong to groups currently under-represented on our committees, including disabled people, LGBT+ people, young people, and Black and ethnic minority people

Introduction

You are required to read and comply with this policy if you work for, or on behalf of the Society in any capacity including as:

• an employee
• an officer
• a worker
• a consultant
• a volunteer
• a supplier
• a service provider

Our Anti-Slavery Officer Kirsty Orr (ASO) is responsible for this policy.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal, or termination of the contract between you and the Society. It could also involve other legal steps being taken against you.

This policy does not form part of our contracts of employment, and we reserve the right to amend this policy at any time.

Background

Slavery, child labour and human trafficking are serious crimes and a violation of fundamental human rights. There are various forms of this ‘modern slavery’ which deprives victims of their liberty and usually involves financial exploitation.

At the Society we conduct our business fairly, ethically and with respect for fundamental human rights. We are fully committed to the prevention of all forms of slavery, forced labour or servitude, child labour and human trafficking, both in our business and in our supply chains. We will not tolerate it.

Preventing slavery and human trafficking in our business

We make appropriate checks on all employees, recruitment agencies and suppliers, to know who is working for, or on behalf of us.

The Society provides every employee with a written contract of employment. We pay every employee in accordance with the law. We comply with our legal obligations to ensure the health and safety of all of our employees and workers, including in relation to working hours, rest breaks and holidays.

All managers are provided with a copy of this policy.

Suppliers

We expect all our suppliers of goods or services to comply with their legal obligations, in relation to modern slavery and to be committed to ensuring there is no slavery, forced labour or servitude, child labour or human trafficking taking place in your business, or any of your supply chains.

If you breach this policy or are found to have slavery or human trafficking in your business, or knowingly in your supply chain, we may terminate the contract with you and pursue its legal remedies against you.

Employees or workers providing services for us

You must immediately report any suspicions of modern slavery or human trafficking in our business or supply chains to our ASO. Our ASO will investigate and report to our Executive Director of Finance and Operations, within a reasonable time, on actions which may require to be taken.

You will not suffer any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting any genuine concerns, raised in good faith, under this policy. This applies even if after investigation they are found to be mistaken. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should immediately inform our ASO and if you are an employee, refer to our grievance and whistleblowing policies.

Relationship with other policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with our other policies and procedures, including policies on disciplinary and whistleblowing.

These policies are available to employees on the intranet.

Should you have any queries about our modern slavery policy, please contact our ASO at kirstyorr@lawscot.org.uk