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Navigating office returns & rebellions

23 February 2024 / Nathan Peart
Issue: 8060 / Categories: Features , Profession , Career focus
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Nathan Peart explores the challenge of encouraging workers back to the office
  • Post-pandemic, law firms now want employees back in the office.
  • This creates a challenge as some employees resist.
  • Junior lawyers gain from mentorship and learning opportunities in the office.

After several attempts to find a new normal over the past few years, the current climate represents a shifting pattern in workplace culture. The office is increasingly resembling pre-pandemic life, which comes as a reality check for junior workers who have been used to a hybrid way of working. Law firms are a great example of these changes, where traditional values of client work first and a five-day office week seem to be making something of a comeback.

Amid a challenging economic climate and uncertain deal flow, corporate directive makes clear that executive leadership wants workers at their desks. Clients are asking what they are paying for in their service fees, and there is a strong emphasis that presenteeism will underpin a successful and sustained company culture. Meanwhile, there

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

CBI South-East Council—Mike Wilson

CBI South-East Council—Mike Wilson

Blake Morgan managing partner appointed chair of CBI South-East Council

Birketts—Phillippa O’Neill

Birketts—Phillippa O’Neill

Commercial dispute resolution team welcomes partner in Cambridge

Charles Russell Speechlys—Matthew Griffin

Charles Russell Speechlys—Matthew Griffin

Firm strengthens international funds capability with senior hire

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Writing in NLJ this week, James Harrison and Jenna Coad of Penningtons Manches Cooper chart the Privy Council’s demolition of the long-standing ‘shareholder rule’ in Jardine Strategic v Oasis Investments
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