Colleagues Can Choose How They Wish To Work Subject to Role And Client Requirements

Irwin Mitchell has confirmed that it will allow colleagues to choose how they wish to work in future with a Flexible by Choice approach to its ways of working.

The firm has told its c.3000 employees that subject to their role and client work being completed effectively, they will be able to make the choice about where and when they choose to work. All colleagues already have laptops and are equipped for flexible working options which have worked well throughout the pandemic.

Its offices are expected to be open at 50% capacity from June 21st due to anticipated ongoing Covid-19 health and safety restrictions and in future they are expected to become hubs for collaborative working. 

Irwin Mitchell has carried out research among both colleagues and clients to determine the best approach to working in the future. The majority suggested that they would prefer a hybrid approach to working, spending some time in the office and at home or other locations.

The approach is also part of Irwin Mitchell’s Responsible Business drive to encourage travel only when necessary and continuing the shift to more digital ways of working, reducing the reliance on paper. To protect colleague wellbeing there will also be suggestions around internal meeting times and steps to try to reduce ‘video call fatigue’.

Expert Opinion

“We’ve seen throughout the pandemic how much colleagues have embraced working from home and have appreciated being able to work flexibly around their lives. From listening to our colleagues we anticipate most people to take up hybrid working patterns with time split between offices and home. There will also be some roles which are office based due to the nature of the work they do, and we expect some people will wish to work from home full-time.

“It’s crucial that we trust our colleagues to make the best choice for themselves, the other colleagues in their teams and their clients in how they decide to work in future. We know wellbeing is also an important consideration, we’re building this into our policies and we also have extensive resources available to help our colleagues to build their resilience and overcome any challenges they face.” Susana Berlevy - Group Chief People Officer

Following a positive FY21 performance Irwin Mitchell last week confirmed it was to repay funds it received through the furlough scheme and will pay an additional 3% bonus to all colleagues.

Irwin Mitchell was also recently ranked number 1 for overall client service by the independent Legal 500 guide to law.