Top-25 firm Addleshaw Goddard has told the majority of its staff they can work regularly from home.
The firm announced today it will implement the home-working policy in its Leeds, London and Manchester offices.
The policy, which applies to most fee-earners and business services employees, brings the firm into line with a number of its rivals in offering more flexible working.
Michael Leftley (pictured), partner and member of the firm’s executive leadership team for talent and HR, said agile working has already brought benefits for the staff and business alike.
‘We hope that having a formalised policy will only increase that,’ he said. ‘Our employees are integral to our success and introducing methods to retain and nurture talent, as well as creating a better work/life balance, is central to maintaining that.
‘Today’s technology means that our people do not have to be in the office around the clock and people can often work more efficiently, and service clients more effectively, if we give them some flexibility.’
The policy will not apply for people still in their probationary period or for those trainees who need extra supervision.
It was adopted following a staff survey earlier this year, when respondents said they wanted more flexibility in their working. During trials, staff have tended to take an average of one day off a week.
As of April 2015, Addleshaw Goddard had a headcount of more than 1,000, of whom 624 were fee-earners.
The firm this week announced a 20% jump in profits for 2015/16, increasing provisional fee income by 5% to £220m.
A host of firms have stated their commitment to more flexible working in the last year, including magic circle firm Linklaters and international firm Herbert Smith.
DAC Beachcroft last year created a work environment at its Leeds office where no one was allocated a desk.
In May, global firm Dentons offered its partners, associates and legal executives the option to work remotely for up to one day a week on an ad hoc or informal basis.
Global firm Mayer Brown is piloting agile working in its construction department, with the trial due to end this month.
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