Ice Miller Ramps Up Inclusive Policies

Ice Miller is pleased to announce its Leave of Absence Ramp Up Policy in support of the Firm’s commitment to the American Bar Association’s Well-Being Pledge. Effective February 1, 2020, the Ramp Up Policy recognizes that team members, both attorneys and staff alike, returning to work following a leave of absence may face challenges reintegrating with work and achieving full utilization. The Ramp Up Policy seeks to help with that transition and is just one of the many policies aimed at enhancing inclusion at the Firm.

Applicable to leaves of absence related to substance use, mental health, disability, parental leave and FMLA leave, the Ramp Up Policy includes a reduced hours expectation with no reduction in compensation for all team members and outlines a support plan to assist with the transition back to work.

“By signing the Well-Being Pledge, we recognized more can and should be done to improve the health and well-being of lawyers and the staff who support them,” said Steve Humke, chief managing partner of Ice Miller. “Ice Miller strives to build a workplace where everyone feels included and supported, especially those who are returning from a leave of absence.”

In 2019, Ice Miller signed the American Bar Association’s Well-Being Pledge in recognition of the significant challenges substance use and mental health problems present in the legal profession. The pledge acknowledges that more can and should be done to improve the health and well-being of lawyers. Recent studies document that lawyers struggle with these problems at levels substantially above both the general population and other highly educated professionals. The Ramp Up Policy furthers the Firm’s commitment to this Pledge.

In addition, Ice Miller is equalizing its Parental Leave Policy for both attorneys and staff. Effective February 1, 2020, all attorneys and staff will have 16 weeks of paid parental leave. The gender neutral policy provides birth parents, adoptive parents or foster care parents with paid time off to care for and bond with their child.

Additional Firm policies and benefits that support work-life integration include:
 

• Breast Milk Shipping Program offers nursing mothers who are travelling for work the ability to ship breast milk home through Milk Stork at the Firm’s expense. More information is available here.
• Back-Up Care Advantage Program is available to primary caregiver employees through Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC. In the event of an emergency or last-minute care need, back-up care options are available 24/7/365 for both children and adults. Learn more about this program here.

Learn more about Ice Miller’s commitment to Diversity & Inclusion here.
 
About Ice Miller LLP
Ice Miller LLP is a full service law firm dedicated to helping our clients stay ahead of a changing world. With over 340 legal professionals in seven offices, we advise clients on all aspects of complex legal issues across more than 20 practice areas. Our clients include emerging growth companies, FORTUNE 500 corporations, municipal entities and nonprofits. Learn more about Ice Miller and our client commitments.

This press release is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.