- Why Flexi Works - an article for the Young Solicitors magazine
I wrote an article: “Why Flexi Works” looking at the different types of flexible working arrangements which may work in the legal profession together with the reasons for introducing it and the benefits to the firm and the individual.
- The Flexible Alternative - a conference by the Young Solicitors Group
Many law firms are sceptical about the benefits of introducing flexible working and are concerned that the burden of making the flexible working arrangement work is greater than any benefit they may derive from it.
- A conference on flexible working at the Bar
Practising as a Barrister presents its own challenges when trying to combine work life and a life outside work, particularly family responsibilities. Female barristers, in particular, have found that the Bar’s traditional arrangement of charging tenants for their space even when its not being used together with a lack of maternity policies (although this has been greatly improved over the last couple of years) and a culture of “presenteeism” has made working at the Bar post children difficult.
- Law Society Annual Conference
The presentation covers issues such as:
* Benefits for the law firm
* Return on accommodation
* Cost of recruitment
* Reasons to leave firm/profession
* Long hours culture
* Stress
* Career progression
* Demographics
* Cost savings
* Burden for the law firm
* Benefits and burdens for the individual
* Case studies
- The Legal Framework for Flexible Working
I was invited to speak at a conference on “Solving Time Dilemmas” organised by a consortium of suppliers of Time Management tools. Given that increasing numbers of organisations had to start embracing more flexible working patterns, they assembled a useful conference looking at all the tools of managing employee’s time. The organisations were seeking solutions to managing employees on flexi time, part-time, staggered hours, shift working, job-sharing and annualised hours. The organisers thought it would be useful to give guidance on the new flexible working legislation and asked me to do the honours.
