Obiter rather enjoys post-pandemic Fridays in the city: for a start, they generally mean shorter queues in Carey Street’s watering holes. But the tendency of hybrid office staff to come in on just Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (we naturally abhor the vulgar acronym) is clearly causing anxiety in some quarters.

Inspired by a Gazette article on London firm Kingsley Napley’s decision to close two-and-a-half of its six-floor headquarters on Fridays, the Law Society has polled LinkedIn followers on how firms should respond to days when almost everyone is, hem, working from home. Do we leave the office open, restrict the space on offer, shut down entirely, or come up with another use for the space?

More than 1,600 Society members had voted as the Gazette went to press. Suggestions in the comments section of the Gazette’s website include using law firm office space for community purposes or to provide day care for working parents. However, while the jury is still out, the result looks pretty clear: more than half of you think offices should stay open.

As a firm managing director said: ‘There should always be an open door for employees to give them the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other.’

Even during the quieter ‘ghost town’ days? Certainly, said one firm partner, because you get more done with fewer interruptions. However, they summed up: ‘There is no one-size-fits-all approach, not even week by week. Ultimately giving staff the choice and treating them like adults is key to getting it right.’

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