Work/life balance is a big issue for law firms. We work around the clock with clients who need our services 24/7. The work we do is complex and often ground-breaking. This makes it exciting – something our people really value.
However, it also makes it demanding, with tight deadlines and long hours. This is a reality that is not going to change. So what we aim to do is to support our people and help them juggle their work with other commitments.
In practice
Work allocation
Work allocation partners in our larger offices and practices help to ensure that work is distributed fairly, and that everyone gets access to interesting, challenging work.
Flexible working
We provide formal and informal flexible-working arrangements, including the facility to log on and work from home on a time-shift basis. In 2007, across the firm, 13% of our people were on formal flexible-working contracts.
On-site facilities
Our on-site facilities in London include a health clinic, gym, shop and 24/7 catering. We also provide concierge and emergency childcare services in London, Paris, New York and all our German offices.
Time bank
In 2006, we introduced a ”time bank” scheme in London, which allows associates to bank additional hours and take time out as extra holiday at a later date. 53% of associates in London have banked time.
Additional support
We offer advice and support where we can. In London we have an active work/life balance group which comes up with ideas for what we can do better, and we held a “well-being week” in 2007 featuring seminars on topics such as managing pressure effectively. We also provide maternity coaching to help mothers returning to work.
Flexible working in practice
13% of our people now work on flexible contracts. One of them is Jo Theodoulou, a managing associate in Capital Markets.
“While on maternity leave, I decided I wanted to come back to work, but also spend time with my son every day,” said Jo. “So I came up with my ‘five short days’ plan. My boss was open to the idea, and agreed that I would come back on a 9am to 2pm Monday-to-Friday basis. When I first started doing it, it was pretty rare in the City. I found my clients were impressed that Linklaters could accommodate this arrangement.”
As a manager, Jo also helps her team with their work/life balance. “People are often reluctant to put their personal priorities out there, as they’re worried it might be seen as a lack of commitment,” Jo said. “If you are conscientious, people will understand if you need to leave earlier on a given day, for example. But to plan around other commitments, we need to know what they are. So the first thing I always tell people is to be open.”