The founding members of the firm established the principles under which Harmers Workplace Lawyers operates. They are:

• the firm will specialise in Workplace Law and will not accept, or will outsource (or refer to other reputable firms), instructions that are not within the firm's areas of expertise;
• the firm, by its advice, will endeavour to ensure fair outcomes in the workplace;
• the firm's business-approach will be based on a commitment to have low overheads, provide excellent service, maintain a happy workforce, and be engaged in worthwhile pursuits;
• the firm is committed to being a model people manager and an innovator in the area of employee benefits;
• consistent with these fundamental principles, Harmers' internal culture has at its heart principles of openness and consultation.
• the firm's own people management practices reflects the firm's advice to its clients; and 
• the firm provides for full information sharing, profit sharing, involvement in and ownership of the firm's direction, and fair treatment to all our staff.

The firm stands for:-

• fair treatment for all;
• the protection of human rights;
• mutual trust and respect;
• the dignity and privacy of individuals;
• respect for diversity of approaches and opinions;
• the ensuring of occupational health, safety and welfare;
• the promotion of fair and ethical conduct and processes;
• education, reform and rehabilitation at the workplace;
• balance (high level professional careers with social, emotional, family, intellectual, physical and spiritual pursuits); and
• the provision of practical, efficient and high quality legal advice; to the extent that reasonable returns can support it, the provision of pro bono assistance for those unable to access justice.