Equality and Diversity Policy

For IP law firm Gorodissky & Partners Equality & Diversity Policy is an important part of the corporate policy. It concerns acceptance and respect for everyone, no matter their background or characteristics. The firm is dedicated to encouraging supportive and inclusive culture amongst the whole staff. It is within our best interest to promote diversity and eliminate discrimination in the workplace.

Our aim is to ensure that all employees and job applicants are given equal professional opportunity. Each employee will be respected and valued and able to give their best as a result.

This policy reinforces our commitment to providing equality and fairness to all in our employment and not provide less favourable facilities or treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, religion or belief, or sex and sexual orientation. We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

All employees, no matter whether they are part-time, full-time, or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. When Gorodissky & Partners selects candidates for employment, promotion, training, or any other benefit, it will be on the basis of their professional aptitude and ability.

All employees will be given help and encouragement to develop their full potential and use their unique talents. Therefore, the skills and resources of our firm will be fully utilised and we will maximise the efficiency of our whole workforce.

Gorodissky & Partners commitments:

• To create an environment in which individual differences and contributions of all team members are recognized and valued.

� To create a working environment that promotes dignity and respect for every employee.

� To not tolerate any form of intimidation, bullying, or harassment, and to discipline those that breach this policy.

� To make training, development, and progression opportunities available to all staff.

� To promote equality in the workplace, which Gorodissku & Partners believes is good management practice and makes sound business sense.

� To encourage anyone who feels they have been subject to discrimination to raise their concerns so we can apply corrective measures.

� To encourage employees to treat everyone with dignity and respect.

� To regularly review all our employment practices and procedures so that fairness is maintained at all times.

Gorodissky & Partners will inform all employees that an equality and diversity policy is in operation and that they are obligated to comply with its requirements and promote fairness in the workplace. The policy will also be submitted to the attention of clients, state institutions, financial structures, insurance agencies, customers, learners, and job applicants.

Gorodissky & Partners equality and diversity policy is fully supported by senior management and has been agreed with trade unions.

Our policy will be monitored and reviewed annually to ensure that equality and diversity is continually promoted in the workplace.

Gorodissky & Partners pursues equality and diversity in relation of gender situation in the workforce at all levels. Thus, women comprises over 60 percent of the whole staff, 9 partners of the firm are women, 68 patent/trademark attorneys and IP lawyers out of the total 248 are women.

We support childbirth in our firm and for three years during the parental leave every month pay a certain sum (plus to the state subsidy which is paid during one year) to every new mother.

Though the official age of retirement in Russia is 55 for women and 60 for men Gorodissky & Partners welcomes the aged professionals to continue working (subject to their wishes) and nowadays over 30 pensioners (about 10 percent of the workforce) keep on working at their positions. Those who retired get regular subsidies from the firm plus to their official pensions and, moreover, they get annual additional medical insurance policies.