Pictured below are members of their sad team
Go Camo On Clichéd Credibility
Law firms using jargon indiscriminately so as to weave a false perception of expertise are losing their jockstraps.
When international legal firm Herbert Smith Freehills was asked to clarify terminology used in a recruitment advert (by an insignificant blogger receiving less than 10k hits per week) they were stumped.
Turns out they lack the technical expertise and legislated evidence required to legitimize their public claims - publicly.
They want the world to believe
"Herbert Smith Freehills is one of the world’s leading professional services businesses, bringing together the best people across our 26 offices, to meet all your legal services needs globally. We can help you realize opportunities while managing risk."
Hilarious! Clearly they need to learn to mitigate their own risky behavior and flawed business processes before making this claim! All their collective global expertise was unable to respond to and nullify the concerns I raised.
How the story started:
- HSF shared an ad offering a LEGAL ANALYST, INTERNATIONAL LEGAL LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME targeting 'Law graduate or equivalent and/or a post-graduate qualification' (Learnerships are 'work and learn' programs)
- South Africa's Department of Labour requires that 'Learnerships must have an agreement that is signed by the employer, training provider and the learner. This agreement must be registered with a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA).'
- The legislation also specifies that the employer's role, and in this case it would be genius jargon firm FSH (woe to the world) is to:
(i) employ the learner for the period specified in the agreement;
(ii) provide the learner with the specified practical work experience; and
(iii) release the learner to attend the education and training specified in the agreement;
Why Herbert Smith Freehills Dropped Their Pants To Don My Panties
I raised questions regarding the technical term conflicts, lack of information regarding the qualification and accreditation; and the complete omission of remuneration.
Herbert Smith Freehills Makes Jargon Their G-string Discomfort
The lawyer they appointed as an HR manager had no understanding of local legislative parameters or the context for human resource development legislation and how terminology used is actually applied. Her profile and the post were removed from LinkedIn.
Oh, and PS: These interventions result in massive government rewards. Employers can claim back every cent they spend on learnerships and reap huge additional tax benefits. These 'earn and learn' programs are used to line corporate pockets and feed off those with limited access to opportunity.
Organisations usually remove my first set of questions in the hope I'll disappear.
"I'm watching this post with keen interest. Welcome to SA Herbert Smith Freehills I see you've ordered the removal of the post I commented on, scared? GameOn !
I'm sure this is a wonderful opportunity for someone - please use the terminology correctly. Let's chat about adapting to local markets and legalisated contexts?
This is not a learnership and what are you doing infringing on the right of an applicant to know if this is a paid position and how much?Your website claims 'business and human rights' 'Global perspective' sounds like you get by on clichéd credibility."*
And
*"I wonder how long it takes an international law firm to respond to comments that the 'Learnership' they advertise isn't a learnership?
There's no information in the advert regarding accreditation or that learners obtain a qualification. In fact, their advert targets graduates - implying an internship - surely a legal entity is sensitive to definitions and legal contexts?
I also want to know why their advert says squat about a stipend or any pay information at all. Does this foreign firm think that 'learnership' implies free labour?
If the firm does offer remuneration - why are they hiding it?
I'd like to know Herbert Smith Freehills interpretation of Section 23.1 of the South African Constitution: Everyone has the right to fair labour practices. "*
And
"I trust that my followers are noting how international legal firm Herbert Smith Freehills have been unable to substantiate their advert falsely claiming a learnership.
It appears their HR Manager, also a lawyer, cannot provide evidence of accreditation or even that their 'learners' are paid.
##This is clearly an example of an international company that has no regard for the foreign legislative frameworks which they expand into.
They appoint employees who are not equipped with the knowledge of our local context and misappropriate legislated terms in order to fabricate the value and credibility they offer our society.
We assume that legal firms in South Africa have an understanding of OUR laws - who gives these inept lawyers the authority to operate here? SouthAfricaDeservesBetter
Conclusion
This may not seem like much to you, but the story proves that unless the public questions and scrutinizes information, they are led to believe that incorrect details are factual and build false perceptions regarding the firms integrity.
This firm has no right to claim that the intervention offered is something that it is not. Whether their intent was to be purposefully deceptive or not - they are clearly a firm that does not hold itself accountable for the false information they promote.
I believe the public has a right to expect legal professionals to be mindful of legislation. When a firm has made a mistake, we expect them to have the integrity to be held accountable and to apologize to us - the public everywhere.
Herbert Smith Freehills needs to clean up their act.
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