International firm Eversheds Sutherland has furloughed certain staff members for the next three weeks, and has delayed pay and bonus reviews until the end of October.

In a statement released today, the firm said it has accessed government-backed job retention schemes, and has placed individuals ‘who are not able to perform their duties whilst working remotely’ on furlough for the next three weeks. The firm will top up the payment from the government so staff receive their full salary during this time.

It has also made the ‘difficult decision’ to delay the review of remuneration and bonus payments until the end of October. Promotion-related pay rises have also been deferred. However, candidates who successfully passed their assessments and interviews will be promoted from 1 May 2020 as planned.

Meanwhile, it is expected that partner pay-outs will either be reduced or deferred. For staff who are balancing work and caring responsibilities, Eversheds Sutherland is offering five days of full pay and has also introduced an enhanced holiday scheme which gives an additional day of holiday for every four taken to care for others. A hardship fund has also been set up to help individuals who are particularly impacted by the outbreak. 

Eversheds Sutherland is one of many firms attempting to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Magic circle firms Allen & Overy and Freshfields have deferred partner pay-outs and suspended pay and bonus reviews, while Norton Rose Fulbright has asked staff to reduced their working week by 20%. 

 

*The Law Society is keeping the coronavirus situation under review and monitoring the advice it receives from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Public Health England.

Please see the Gazette’s dedicated coronavirus page here >>