Flexible firm reaps the rewards

Law firms are missing out by not promoting flexible working arrangements for staff, but it is solicitors themselves who are most at fault, a partner who works under an unusual job-sharing arrangement suggested last week.Nigel Bowman, who heads Leeds-based commercial firm Mason Bond's family law department, now works a three-day week so that he can help care for his young son.

The child's mother, Clare Collins, an assistant at the same firm, takes over on the other two days.Mr Bowman said the firm had taken a 'radical' approach to his situation, but that it has worked out well for everyone involved.

'The firm is, in my view, well served by the arrangement,' Mr Bowman explained.

'It obtains the services of two fee-earners for the price of one.

Each has their own skills, and each is willing and able to work late, and hard, on their allotted days.

Happy fee-earners are also more productive, and I think we are happier because of the arrangement.'Mr Bowman said although law firms are 'a conservative bunch', job sharing and other flexible working practices are still rare because solicitors - particularly those who are fathers - do not approach their employers.He said: 'It is primarily up to the employees to ask, but often they don't because they think it will harm their position and make it look like they are not a full team player.'However, Mr Bowman added that firms need to put practical measures in place before such arrangements can work.

'Law firms need to provide good technology so that the people who are job sharing are communicating and know what's going on at the office,' he said.

'They need access to e-mails and mobile phones, which a lot of employers still don't seem to provide.'Stephen Mason, senior partner in the firm best known for its travel law expertise, said he was 'very happy' with the set-up.

'We get a full week's work - and more - with a broader range of skills than any one lawyer is likely to have,' he said.

'Because they are also life partners, there are no problems about messages and ideas being passed from one to the other.'Paula Rohan