The Culture Conundrum: Navigating regulation of non-financial misconduct in professional services

What do regulators’ approaches to workplace culture mean for legal and? financial services firms and regulated individuals?

It’s an issue that no regulated organisation can afford to ignore: workplace culture. This year alone, we have seen many individuals and firms called to account by regulators and facing serious reputational harm for engaging in, or tacitly condoning, so-called toxic workplaces and sexual misconduct.

Regulators such as the FCA and the SRA have made it clear that they consider the policing of unhealthy workplace environments to fall under their remit.? They believe that bullying, harassment and discrimination don’t just represent an ethical and moral failure, but also create environments lacking in diversity and in which employees don’t feel able to voice concerns, potentially damaging clients’ interests.

But what exactly do the SRA and FCA’s approaches to workplace culture mean for financial services and law firms and regulated individuals? What are the implications for senior management, people leaders and in-house lawyers?

What does it mean if you, or a colleague, are experiencing a toxic workplace in a regulated firm?

Or if you are challenged on your own behaviour or accused of treating junior colleagues unfairly?

And in a period of changing cultural expectations, how can employers ensure workplaces are safe and remove “rainmaker immunity” while also treating fairly those accused of misconduct?

To answer these questions, Bellevue Law is hosting a free webinar for senior management, people leaders and in-house lawyers at regulated firms, as well as individuals working in them.?

The Culture Conundrum: Navigating regulation of non-financial misconduct in professional services will provide useful insights and tips on navigating the new regulations and ensuring that you are not only compliant but also providing a safe workplace for everyone.?

Hosted by Bellevue Law’s founder and specialist employment lawyer Florence Brocklesby , the webinar will explore what the regulatory approaches of the FCA and SRA to sexual misconduct and wider workplace culture mean for senior managers, HR directors and in-house lawyers in regulated businesses as well as their employees.

Joining Florence are Bellevue Law’s senior consultants, regulatory and investigations specialist Steve Melrose , employment and investigations lawyer Sarika Rabheru , as well as guest speaker Katherine Allison , Chief People Officer at top-100 law firm Moore Barlow, who will provide a valuable in-house perspective on the practical steps firms can take to be compliant.

Together we will discuss:?

• the key regulatory and employment law considerations;

• the potential regulatory implications of employment law disputes where allegations of discrimination, harassment or bullying are raised;
• and how meaningful cultural change can be effected.

The webinar will be held via Zoom at 9am on Wednesday, 6 December. It will consist of a 45-minute panel session followed by a 15 minute-Q&A. It is free and anonymous to join. If you can’t make it but are interested in the subject, please sign up as the session will be recorded.

For more details, please visit the Eventbrite page.