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Rent cuts for barristers working reduced hours or away from chambers because of care responsibilities are among proposals in a new guide published by the Bar Council.
The nine-page Flexible Working Guide aims to provide chambers with a model template for operating flexible working methods.
It seeks to address concerns about the loss of talented individuals from the Bar due to insufficient family-friendly policies and outlines possible ways to retain those who might otherwise seek employment elsewhere.
The scheme is the latest initiative aimed at supporting barristers’ wellbeing. The Bar Council also produces a series of guides aimed at improving the workplace, covering fair recruitment, sexual harassment and parental leave policies.
Bar chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said the Bar needs to retain talent and accommodate those who need to work flexibly in a way that makes financial sense.
She said: ‘Although the self-employed Bar should, in theory, have the flexibility to work as and when they wish, the reality is very different. Many chambers, under financial pressure, require certainty over income generated through rent and expenses. This can make it difficult to work flexibly.’
Doerries added, however: ‘It’s going to take more than filling in the gaps on a ready-made policy to make it work and our guide gives other advice and tips for chambers considering flexible working.’
Rent cuts for barristers working reduced hours or away from chambers because of care responsibilities are among proposals in a new guide published by the Bar Council.
The nine-page Flexible Working Guide aims to provide chambers with a model template for operating flexible working methods.
It seeks to address concerns about the loss of talented individuals from the Bar due to insufficient family-friendly policies and outlines possible ways to retain those who might otherwise seek employment elsewhere.
The scheme is the latest initiative aimed at supporting barristers’ wellbeing. The Bar Council also produces a series of guides aimed at improving the workplace, covering fair recruitment, sexual harassment and parental leave policies.
Bar chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said the Bar needs to retain talent and accommodate those who need to work flexibly in a way that makes financial sense.
She said: ‘Although the self-employed Bar should, in theory, have the flexibility to work as and when they wish, the reality is very different. Many chambers, under financial pressure, require certainty over income generated through rent and expenses. This can make it difficult to work flexibly.’
Doerries added, however: ‘It’s going to take more than filling in the gaps on a ready-made policy to make it work and our guide gives other advice and tips for chambers considering flexible working.’
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
