Professional support lawyer at Hogan Lovells
Context and background
Robert* was an associate solicitor working in commercial litigation when a flu-like virus triggered Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), from which he has still not recovered. For more than a year he was bedridden, working entirely from home. However, for the last four years he has been able to work partly at home and partly in his employer's offices in the City.
His condition means that Robert suffers pain, tingling and other neurological symptoms, and is obliged to use a wheelchair. Unable to walk or stand most of the time, Robert finds it difficult to use public transport and instead drives into work using an adapted car with hand levers rather than pedals. His firm provides a parking space and he uses a manual wheelchair to get from the front to the back of his car where he assembles his power chair for use around the offices.
Robert is now aged 47 (39 when he first fell ill) and trained and qualified at Hogan Lovells. Despite his illness, Robert wanted to continue working in his firm's litigation sector, which he now does as a Professional Support Lawyer. Robert describes his firm as 'a good place to work - definitely employee-friendly. This is important for everyone, but particularly for those who need to work flexibly, as I do, if they are to continue their career.'
Practicalities
Currently Robert works three days in the office and two days from his office at home. On the days he works in London, his basic hours are 10.30 to 18.30, which enables him to drive into work and avoid the worst of the rush hour traffic. He varies which days he is in the office so he can attend meetings and other events on any day of the week, but because most people contact him by email or phone (which can be diverted), 'most people I deal with don't know whether I am working in the office or from home.'
Robert's condition varies, but he always has to be careful to minimise physical exertion. 'My current mix of working from my office at home and my office in the City allows me to do this, with the benefit of recent technological developments and excellent support from my firm's IT department. For instance, we have a good remote working system, which enables employees to log on to emails and databases from whatever location they happen to be in, and I've been given a first class laser printer which I can keep within arm's reach of my desk in my office at home and use to print large documents just as if I were in my office in London.'
Reducing the number of days he has to commute into work, and changing his hours so he can travel by car rather than public transport, helps Robert conserve his energy and manage his symptoms without compromising the amount or intensity of the work he takes on. Fee earning work was not possible when he was confined to his bed, and would probably not be practical now because of the need to visit the court, clients and witnesses on a regular basis, but there are no limits to what he can do in his present 'in-house' role.
Key challenges
As part of a team of Professional Support Lawyers, Robert is jointly responsible for his firm's internal knowhow and training, and writes articles and legal updates for clients and the legal press. The main practical challenges arise when he has to visit a third location for a seminar or client event. In these cases some planning is required to ensure easy access.
Learning points
'I'd say that successful flexible working depends chiefly on two things: good technical support and flexibility on both sides. I generally arrange meetings for days when I expect to be in the office, but it's important that I can switch days - if necessary at a moment's notice - to fit in with others' plans.'
Benefits for the organisation and the individual
The firm can retain an experienced and competent litigator, harnessing his experience and knowledge by enabling him to work flexibly.
*Names have been changed in some case studies to preserve respondent anonymity