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Shakespeare Martineau signs new global business drive to tackle COVID 19 crisis

Shakespeare Martineau signs new global business drive to tackle COVID 19 crisis

Former UK Cabinet minister, Rt Hon Justine Greening, launched the C-19 Business Pledge with entrepreneur David Harrison. It encourages businesses and Universities to join the international coronavirus effort to help the most vulnerable citizens to pull through the crisis.

The initiative has already received the backing of employers representing over 2.2 million staff and students.

As well as Shakespeare Martineau, they include BP, Everton Football Club, National Grid, DLA Piper and Severn Trent Water.

Employers who sign up to the pledge give their backing to three main objectives built around employees, customers and communities, to help address the immediate challenges of coronavirus, but also to assist with the aftermath.

Shakespeare Martineau is supporting its people through a number of initiatives including a remote working hub – packed with resources, guides and support for working remotely – a wellbeing hub that provides tips and resources to assist with all areas of wellbeing; mental, physical, social and financial, and a leaders hub; specifically crafted for leaders and managers to support them in adapting to managing teams and departments remotely.

The firm is also encouraging regular two-way communications between line managers and teams, has introduced an ‘ideas’ inbox, regular office newsletters and ‘zoom parties’ to support on-going social activity between colleagues and share in the successes of colleagues.

To support clients and local businesses through the challenging economic landscape the firm has launched a raft of free information services including; a dedicated coronavirus hub and informative webinars.

For more bespoke guidance and information the firm is offering a free legal helpline for businesses, giving them direct access to senior legal experts from 10am-12pm Monday to Friday.

Current clients are also being offered a free video session with commercial and employment law specialists, to help them work through the issues facing their business and employees during these challenging times.

Ben Buckton, chief marketing and people officer said: “During these unprecedented times we all need to rally together and help in any way we can. Our priority is helping people to come out of this crisis stronger than before.

“As well as our people and client initiatives we’re also supporting the local community through charitable donations as well as recently opening our free helpline to include support with queries on family and private matters. We’ve also had a number of our senior experts feature on local media – answering questions from the public who are concerned about their jobs and financial position in such testing times.

“We’re proud to have signed the C-19 business pledge. Situations like this can bring out the best or the worst in people and as a firm we are taking a positive approach to the crisis; we aim to do the right thing by our people, clients and community, spot and seize silver linings and take it as an opportunity to learn for the future and adapt to a new way of providing legal services.”

As well as targeting the immediate challenges of coronavirus, committed businesses like Shakespeare Martineau also form part of a co-ordinated effort to face the challenges of recovery.

Justine Greening said: “With the future of many employers hanging in the balance and incredibly tough times unfolding across all sectors, businesses face many incredibly difficult decisions.

“But those organisations who are able to, can have a huge role in battling the impact of coronavirus and make a real difference in these uniquely challenging times.

“In spite of everything, we are seeing a global response from hundreds of employers that have already shown amazing initiative and commitment to helping people affected by coronavirus. The C-19 Business Pledge is all about encouraging as many businesses and universities as possible to get involved and then helping them do that faster and better by sharing all the great work that’s already been done. The early response has been incredible and I’ll do everything I can to help to connect up business to play its role in this international effort.”

For more on the C-19 Business Pledge visit www.c19businesspledge.org

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For more general business advice in relation to coronavirus visit our dedicated resource hub.

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