Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Our people trust us to deliver a workplace that is open and inclusive, where everyone is supported in their work, development and wellbeing.

We value fairness and respect, and we believe that varied perspectives bring creativity, and creativity solves problems. We know it’s our differences that help us to deliver innovative solutions for our clients.

We’ve placed equality and inclusion at the core of our strategy, and we are committed to delivering sustainable, meaningful change. We encourage everyone to be their whole self, to have a voice and to contribute.

“We want to be a firm that is attractive and accessible to everyone, and a firm that respects and welcomes people of all backgrounds and experiences. Our teams should be reflective of our communities, and the clients we work with. I am proud of our progressive approach, and of our affinity networks who play an integral role in our journey to becoming a truly diverse and inclusive workforce.”

Esther Smith, Partner and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion

"Our values aren't just for our website or our clients"

At TLT, we've made a commitment to support our people and nurture their ambitions. In March 2024, we celebrated and shared how best we can support our female colleagues, and as part of that month of action, we asked some of them how they feel empowered through our lived values.

Empowering our open, inclusive and innovative culture

We want everyone at TLT to have the support they need to be fully themselves and perform at their best. Recognising that no two people's work and personal lives are the same, all our people initiatives are designed to create the right environment for colleagues to reach their potential.

Whether that's utilising our flexible working approach, family policies, menopause and LGBT+ support or any of our other benefits, we're committed to doing the right thing by our people.

Menopause support

Our enhanced menopause support includes free menopause testing and access to initiatives to help navigate the whole experience. Colleagues can book an appointment with a specialist doctor and receive a treatment plan tailored to their needs, as well as access digital support through the Peppy app.

In addition, our menopause champion network provides guidance on conversations with line managers and required workplace adjustments and connects people from across the firm. Learn more about our menopause support, or take a look at our menopause toolkit.

Carers support

We know that many people will experience a period as a carer at least once during their lives. To support our people with caring responsibilities, we offer access to a range of support, including:

Our flexible working policy, TLT World, which gives individuals the flexibility on where and how they work. We also offer up to a week of unpaid carers’ leave.
Vitality’s Supercarers programme, which empowers people to find care advice and offers access to discounted care services. It also offers a Care Coach to advise on navigating the care system, and CareMatch technology to help connect people with the most suitable care options available.
Business in the Community’s Let’s Care Together scheme offers practical guidance for unpaid carers, including 1:1 virtual mentoring across the four key pillars of wellbeing: physical, mental, social and financial. Mentors help people to navigate relevant local services, access additional support, and offers a friendly, regular touch point.

Hollie Linton, Bids Executive, says:

"When I unexpectedly became a carer over a decade ago I could not see a way I could pursue a career while still providing care. The development of TLT’s flexible working policy, TLT World, makes an enormous difference. The ability to work when and where it works for me means that I am able to juggle my responsibilities and find some balance, which just results in me being the best version of myself in all my roles whether it’s as a colleague, daughter, carer or partner."

Family policies

We offer enhanced family leave packages to all employees from your first day of employment with us.

Maternity / birthing parental leave – We offer 16 weeks at full pay, 16 weeks at half pay and statutory maternity pay for 7 weeks.
Paternity / non-birthing parental leave – We offer full pay for four weeks.
Shared parental leave – We match our maternity offering with full pay for 16 weeks, half pay for 16 weeks and ShPP for 5 weeks.
Adoption leave – We offer enhanced pay to match our maternity / birthing parent, paternity / non-birthing parent and shared parental leave pay.
Ramp up / ramp down - In addition, we offer a ramp up / ramp down programme for expectant and returning parents to support them during a critical period.
Family Leave Transition Support – Partnering with external experts Educating Matters, we offer bespoke learning and networking for expectant parents before, during and on their return to work.

We also recognise family life can be challenging and at times, we all need some extra help. We go beyond the statutory minimum for difficult moments including pregnancy loss, covering partners too, as well as parental bereavement. We also offer paid leave for hospital appointments for parents or carers of disabled children.

LGBT+ support

TLT has a trans and non-binary policy and guidance, which includes language and key terms, guidance on facilities, dress code, absence management. It includes support for trans and non-binary colleagues, both those who are transitioning and those who are not, along with guidance for managers. In addition, we offer a confidential reporting service for all employees to raise any issues anonymously.

Wellbeing at TLT

At TLT, our people are empowered to prioritise their health and wellbeing. We recognise what it means to be well is different for everybody, so our wellbeing approach has six key elements, looking through the lenses of financial, mental, social, spiritual, digital, and physical wellbeing. Some of us lean more on some elements than others, and there is no right or wrong way to do this - ultimately each of our people chooses to engage with what they feel best supports their wellbeing.

Our wellbeing strategy is underpinned by our framework of Promote, Prevent, Support: promoting the pursuit of wellbeing through a culture of openness about mental health, proactively preventing the decline of wellbeing of our people and providing maximum support where it is needed, throughout the employee lifecycle.

Wellbeing hexa

“TLT has made huge strides in making wellbeing an integral part of what we do, including the creation of a trained Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion network. These steps reflect our ambitions to create a culture that promotes and sustains the positive wellbeing of our people, ensuring they feel supported in a flexible and considerate environment that allows them to thrive.”

James Chadwick, Partner and Wellbeing Champion

Approx £97,700 worth of services

claimed by colleagues as part of TLT's Health Care Cash Plan since 1 September 2023

1,663 hours

of wellbeing achieved in our 'Moving for Your Wellbeing' challenge

15 TLT circles

uniting colleagues across the firm through special interest groups

26 mental health and wellbeing champions

to listen and offer a supportive and safe space for colleagues

TLT Affinity networks

Our affinity networks are passionate and dedicated communities of people from across TLT, led by senior co-sponsors and committed to helping create a culture of respect. They create safe spaces for support, reflection, and debate – a place where those with shared or similar characteristics, as well as allies, can come together and grow. Beyond this sense of community, our networks act as a critical friend to the firm, making sure we remain progressive and aligned in our approach to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Approximately 1 in 3 colleagues are members of an Affinity network, demonstrating their importance within everyday life at TLT.

Disability network

We have a longstanding relationship with the Business Disability Forum and are committed to making progress in improving the working lives of disabled people. Our disability network plays an important role in disability inclusion at TLT, which includes raising awareness of the challenges facing disabled people and helping to make sure our people are supported throughout their careers.

Ethnic Diversity network

TLT has recently committed to a target of 35% ethnic minority representation across early careers by 2030. As signatories of the Race Fairness Commitment, our Ethnic Diversity network supports us in delivering on these promises. The network empowers and supports colleagues by raising awareness of the challenges facing ethnically diverse individuals, educating and empowering allies, and creating a safe space to find support.

LGBT+ network

Throughout the year our LGBT+ network recognises different LGBT+ awareness days to educate on the issues the community still faces, with the aim of empowering allies. In 2024, we achieved a Silver Award following our submission to Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index.

Mental Health and Wellbeing champions

TLT’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Champions are well-established and highly regarded for their effectiveness in connecting colleagues to mental health support and facilitating conversations that otherwise might not happen. Our trained Champions understand the value of listening patiently, with an open mind and without judgement. They aren’t clinicians, but they do offer a safe and confidential space to share any concerns and signpost support.

Neurodiversity network

Our Neurodiversity network aims to raise awareness, educate, and engage colleagues helping everyone to gain a greater understanding of Neurodiversity. It is a safe space that empowers and supports colleagues with neurodiverse conditions, whilst also working together to support TLT as a firm. Since the launch of our Neurodiversity network in April 2024, colleagues have been able to get access to fully funded diagnostic services.

Social Mobility network

TLT aspires to be a firm of opportunity where every colleague, regardless of their background or experiences, is supported to fulfil their potential. We work closely with our Social Mobility Network in the attainment of this ambition: we participate in targeted outreach, contextualise grades in our graduate recruitment, and have recently introduced two apprenticeship routes, all of which is supported by the Network. We are delighted to be ranked as a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility for the third time.

Women's Equality network

Our Women’s Equality Network plays an integral role in our Gender Equality Strategy, which has seen TLT achieve accreditation as a Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality and achieve our 33% women partner target two years early. From our enhanced Family Leave offering, to leading menopause support, TLT’s Women’s Equality Network continue to be a vital voice and source of support.