Kingsley Napley becomes latest firm to adopt the Halo Code

International firm Kingsley Napley has adopted the Halo Code – which “explicitly protects employees who come to work with natural hair and protective hairstyles associated with their racial, ethnic, and cultural identities” – and has formally incorporated the code into its dress and appearance policy.

The firm has joined others including Linklaters and Fladgate LLP in signing up to the UK’s first Black hair code, with supporters of the code pledging to ensure that no one faces barriers or judgement as a result of their hair.

Stephen Parkinson, Kingsley Napley’s senior partner said: “As a firm, we want to ensure that all of our people feel able and comfortable to be their authentic selves at work without fear of discrimination. Our core values of Respect, Fairness and Understanding help underpin our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. However, we are delighted to support the Halo campaign, the UK’s first black hair code, to go that step further and as a way of positively demonstrating our commitment to an inclusive community and culture at Kingsley Napley. This is important not only to ensure that we better understand each other; it also makes us better placed to meet our clients’ needs.”

The Halo Code’s mission is to “end hair inequality for good” by working with schools and workplaces to create communities “built on an ethos of equality and respect”. Organisations adopting the code acknowledge that “Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.”

Find out more about the Hale Code and how to get involved via the website.