The firm, which currently has no standard policy for allowing staff to vary their working arrangements, is looking to agree on a system that will apply across all practice areas and for non-fee-earning staff. One option would be to let people work less hours in quiet periods in return for working longer when they are working on a deal.
Senior partner Jonathan Blake (above) commented: “We are working through a number of options because not every structure suits all people or all practice areas. For example, it is much harder to fit a limited number of working hours into the corporate practice when a client wants a deal done quickly.”
At the moment SJ Berwin has various measures in place, with some people working fewer days a week, while others sometimes work from home.
Any arrangements will be watched closely by SJ Berwin associates who expressed anger after a controversial bonus scheme was introduced last year that rewarded lawyers for billing up to 2,500 hours annually.
The move comes as a number of firms across the City are introducing flexible working measures.
Simmons & Simmons is in the process of piloting its much-lauded flexible working scheme, though the initiative has fallen behind schedule, with the City firm considering offering associates with three to four years’ experience options such as term-time working, sabbaticals or working on a given number of deals.
Meanwhile, White & Case now allows all of its lawyers and staff worldwide to suggest their ideal working arrangements.
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