Firms lack policies on flexi-time

The majority of London law firms have some form of family-friendly policy in place, although these are more likely to be informal, according to research released this week.The Association of Women Solicitors (AWS) survey of 30 medium to large firms found that 22 offered flexible working hours - either fewer days in the week or hours to suit the employee - and 14 allowed employees to work from home.

However, only five had a formal written policy.Four firms conceded that flexible working could lengthen the time it takes to reach partnership.The report's author, Susan Pape, immediate past chairwoman of the AWS, said: 'The environment is most definitely a positive one for solicitors with families, as the survey shows that the majority of firms have some sort of family friendly policy in place,' she said.

'However, the problem is that very few firms have this formally stated, and so most solicitors simply don't know that it's an option for them.'The firms that did have a formal policy had a low staff turnover, according to Ms Pape, and those which actively advertised the policy had a turnover of almost zero.

'From a purely economic point of view, having a formal policy in place is incredibly valuable,' she said.

'It not only keeps staff happier, but also encourages them to remain at the firm, which saves the firm a huge amount of money spent in recruitment and training.'Ms Pape said there is still a problem with many firms.

'There is still an old guard in many City firms which does not approve of women working part-time, and doesn't see why a woman's family should affect the firm's operation.'Nine of the firms also offered paternity leave of varying lengths, while five let lawyers go off on sabbaticals and career breaks.Victoria MacCallum