Wragge & Co has moved to improve work-life balance with an extended flexible-working package. The news comes as the Birmingham heavyweight signs up for new premises that will bring together lawyers from three offices under one roof.
The flexible working scheme, launched last month and presented to partners earlier this year, is intended to make it easier for lawyers and support staff to take time off during the working day - even to attend things such as gym classes.
Under the previous system, staff wanting to work flexibly had to obtain permission from human resources (HR) and had to state a reason, meaning only a quarter of staff - including just six partners - took advantage of the scheme.
In contrast, the new system is intended to be used more widely - rather than by more obvious groups such as parents - with staff only needing informal permission from their immediate line manager. Significantly, staff do not need to state a reason for requesting the leave although, if the scheme is to be long-term, the policy will be written into a contract.
HR director Linda Bellis (pictured), who designed the scheme, told Legal Week: “[The scheme] looks at flexible working in a more up-to-date format and is not so constricted by HR. We wanted to focus on people who were not aware that a flexible-working policy was available to them and encourage a greater work-life balance, as long as work is not compromised. This should enhance work productivity.”
Meanwhile, the firm has signed up to new office space in Birmingham which will allow it to bring lawyers from three different offices under one roof.
The existing offices have 170,000 sq ft between them but the new building, which spans 11 floors at Two Snowhill, is 250,000 sq ft. The firm has taken on the building on a 20-year lease from September 2011.
Last month Wragges recruited a new head of facilities, Penny March, to manage the move logistics. March has previously overseen office moves for Mayer Brown, Cooper & Lybrand and KPMG.
