In a post-pandemic world where flexible work schedules are becoming more commonplace, one particular law firm has stood out by tightening its office attendance policy. Known worldwide, Gowling WLG — a firm bringing in an impressive $656,653,000 of gross revenue in 2022 — has recently disclosed to its attorneys a new mandate for office attendance.
Previous mandates required attorneys to split their work hours evenly, spending 50% of their time in the office and 50% working remotely. However, this new policy change requires the firm’s attorneys to spend 60% of their time in the office, an increase of 10%. This information was revealed by ‘RollOnFriday’, a prominent UK-based legal news website. You can read their report here.
According to lawyers within the firm who contacted RollOnFriday, this new policy change has raised trepidation and dissatisfaction. The lack of consultation or surveys prior to this change, compared to previous policy changes, has left some attorneys feeling undervalued.
Yet not every perspective on this matter is negative. Andy Stylianou, the firm’s chair, sees this policy change as advantageous to individual employees and the collective culture of the firm. Citing the benefits of enhanced collaboration and skill-building amongst colleagues, Stylianou views the increase in office time as advantageous for both business objectives and skill development opportunities for employees.
It’s important to note, as a Gowling WLG spokesperson told Above the Law, that this increased office time applies solely to the firm’s lawyers and related legal teams. All other teams within the firm will maintain a 50/50 hybrid work schedule. Furthermore, the firm’s policies, according to Stylianou, may be subject to future changes. He affirmed that the firm aims to strike a balance between serving their clients, fostering team connectivity and providing flexibility to their employees.
As we navigate through a continuously changing professional landscape, it will be intriguing to see how these types of changes impact the overall culture and productivity in various firms. Only time will tell if the increased office time will yield the positive results that Gowling WLG anticipates.
Stay updated on the latest trends by directly contacting us. Don’t worry about your anonymity, we’ll keep our sources confidential. For further insights, you can directly email us or text us at (646) 820-8477.
For the entire revelation regarding Gowling WLG’s attendance mandate, please visit the original article at Above The Law.