Earlier this year, a number of women lawyers made a complaint about sexual approaches from some male lawyers. Often this was when the men were drunk. Some complaints were about drunken behaviour at the Christmas party in 2015 but it seems inappropriate sexual behaviour was a common part of the male culture of the law firm. Complaints came from female lawyers and from 5 female law students working in the firm over the summer.
The law firm appointed Dame Margaret Bazley to investigate. She released her report today, confirming that there was a male culture in the firm, making it an unsafe workplace. The law firm has apologised and will work to change this culture.
The President of the Law Society is a woman, Kathryn Beck. She said today that almost one in three female lawyers has been sexually harassed in the workplace. This has occurred in many law firms and must change.
Traditionally, lawyers were men. However, these days about 60% of lawyers are women. In spite of this, only 26% of directors or partners in a law firm are women. So, equality for women lawyers has a long way to go.
Vocabulary
• law firm – a law company
• inappropriate (adj) – not suitable, without respect for the other person
• to confirm (v) – to agree
• male culture – beliefs that the male way of doing things is the only way, no concern for how women feel
• harassed (adj) – actions or words which are unpleasant for the other person; pressure to do something that person does not want to do