The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance is a think tank dedicated to creating work environments centered on inclusion and innovative thought leadership. The Alliance empowers organizations with the tools necessary for advancing women, fostering flexibility, and retaining top talent.
To learn how we can help your organization, please get in touch.
Action Step – Remove Mixed Messages From Flexible Work Policies
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
REMOVE MIXED MESSAGES FROM FLEXIBLE WORK POLICIES
It makes good business sense to have a policy that puts in writing the terms and conditions under which lawyers can work reduced or flexible hours – unless the policy contains negative messages that undermine your firm’s flexible work program. What sort of mixed messages? Here’s just one example of a grudging introductory paragraph that makes it clear that flexible work is not encouraged:
“Lawyers are expected to work full-time schedules as necessary to meet the needs of the Firm’s clients. The Firm will consider requests to work less than full-time, but such requests will not be routinely granted.”
Action Step – Develop Your Firm’s Unique Business Case for Flexibility
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
DEVELOP YOUR FIRM’S UNIQUE BUSINESS CASE FOR FLEXIBILITY
Too often flexible work programs are viewed as special accommodations for women lawyers with young children – and that virtually guarantees that they will fail. Research shows that nonstigmatized flexible work strengthens law firms by increasing tenure among the firm’s lawyers and leading to stronger client relationships, better recruiting, and more profitability. While you can tell your firm this, you can make the point more effectively by showing the specific ways your firm will benefit from increasing retention…