Magic circle firm Allen & Overy predicts that around 40% of its work will be done from home once the pandemic has passed – but says the office remains ‘incredibly important’ for culture and personal development.

The firm said it will continue to allow flexible working once lockdown restrictions have been lifted and said it expects 60% of work will be done in its own or other’s offices on average.

A spokesperson said: ‘Over the course of the last year we have proven the ability for most of us to work successfully from home, and we will continue to support our people to work flexibly on an ongoing basis.

Homeworker on video call

A&O will continue flexible working once lockdown lifts

‘As we move forward we believe that the office will remain incredibly important in terms of preserving our culture and community and in providing a space for personal development.’

Allen & Overy is the third magic circle practice to reveal its post-pandemic working arrangements. Earlier this week, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer announced a new agile working policy that will allow UK staff to work remotely up to 50% of the time.

Meanwhile, Linklaters said last year that employees across the world will be able to work remotely between 20-50% of the time, as long as teams are told in advance and operational roles are fulfilled.