Leading partners at top City law firm Allen & Overy will now be able to work four-day weeks and have extended holidays as part of a scheme to deal with an exodus of top women from the industry.
The firm unveiled the scheme yesterday following 18 months of consultation. Some have said the announcement reflects the extent to which law firms are still only beginning to catch up with international management trends.
David Morley, Allen & Overy senior partner, said: ‘If we continue as we are doing at the moment, there is a risk we will be choosing from an ever-shrinking pool of potential candidates.’
They are attempting to boost a female partner percentage that has been in the low mid-teens over the last ten years. Although female lawyers are in the majority at junior levels, they often leave because having a family does not fit with the demands of co-owning the business.
Now part-timers will be able to work a four day week or take up to 52 days extra leave a year.
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