Oon & Bazul signs Pledge on Preventing Bullying and Harassment in Singapore’s Legal Profession

Oon & Bazul has joined the Law Society of Singapore in taking a stand against all forms of bullying and harassment in the legal profession. Managing Partner & Head of Dispute Resolution, Bazul Ashhab, represented the firm at the virtual Pledge Signing Ceremony on 9 October 2020; the session was helmed by the President of Law Society, Gregory Vijayendran SC.

In his speech, Gregory Vijayendran SC addressed the firms committing to this pledge as now “having zero tolerance on workplace bullying and harassment, and standing in solidarity to send the strongest signal throughout the legal industry that law firms will treat lawyers and staff with proper respect and dignity.” This pledge will serve as a beacon of light on the propriety of conduct as well as the inviolability of every employee’s person and privacy.

Law firms are encouraged to take the following steps within the course of one year after signing the Pledge:

• Develop, implement and inform staff of the law firm’s bullying and harassment policy and a workplace grievance handling process;
• Provide training for staff on the relevant policies and procedures so that (i) staff are educated and aware what may constitute inappropriate behaviour; and (ii) to whom and how such behaviour may be reported; and
• Ensure senior management and executive leadership of the law firm receive adequate coaching or training to cultivate a firm environment free from a toxic culture of bullying and harassment.