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Going on maternity leave or pursuing other outside interests? With forward planning and good communication, career breaks can work. Freya Newbery offers some practical guidance.
The Bar has traditionally embraced flexible working arrangements, which has allowed barristers to pursue a range of outside interests such as taking part-time judicial or academic appointments, or becoming MPs, writers, or actors, in addition to taking maternity or paternity leave. What it demonstrates is that a successful career at the Bar can be combined with time consuming outside interests.
There are two strands to the guidance set out below: some practical suggestions about managing continuing professional obligations whilst on a break; and ideas for positive and structured communication between the tenant and chambers with the aim of managing a smooth transition back to work. The guidance sometimes uses the language of maternity leave but is intended to apply equally to fathers and adopting parents where they are the principal carer, and more widely to any member of chambers planning to take a career break.
Attend the course
Managing a career break is the responsibility of chambers as a whole, but managing it well depends on forward planning and good communication. The Bar Council is running a Managing Career Breaks course on 3 October 2008, aimed at barristers going on or returning from a break, clerks, practice managers, equal opportunity officers and members of management committees. The programme includes advice on clerking, re-establishing practice, funding, maintaining a work life balance, Code of Conduct and ethical updates and opportunities for career development including judicial and other appointments. To register for the course email: ACampbell@BarCouncil.org.uk.
Freya Newbery is a member of the Bar Council Equality and Diversity Committee
PRACTICALITIES — ADVANCE PLANNING
Compulsory insurance
Continuing professional development
Email: LPrats@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk.
Bar Council subscriptions
Check the up-to-date position with the Bar Council and keep it informed: Email: SmitaShah@BarCouncil.org.uk.
Accounts
VAT
Subscription services
Chambers rent/direct debits
Maternity benefit
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT — KEEPING IN TOUCH
Some uncertainty over the timing and potential limiting factors around the return to work is usually inevitable. Positive forward and flexible management is helpful in ensuring a comfortable return.
Contact and communication
Cheques and post
Continuing your practice
Mentor/contact buddy
Returning to work
Put return/update meeting in diary
At the return meeting
There are two strands to the guidance set out below: some practical suggestions about managing continuing professional obligations whilst on a break; and ideas for positive and structured communication between the tenant and chambers with the aim of managing a smooth transition back to work. The guidance sometimes uses the language of maternity leave but is intended to apply equally to fathers and adopting parents where they are the principal carer, and more widely to any member of chambers planning to take a career break.
Attend the course
Managing a career break is the responsibility of chambers as a whole, but managing it well depends on forward planning and good communication. The Bar Council is running a Managing Career Breaks course on 3 October 2008, aimed at barristers going on or returning from a break, clerks, practice managers, equal opportunity officers and members of management committees. The programme includes advice on clerking, re-establishing practice, funding, maintaining a work life balance, Code of Conduct and ethical updates and opportunities for career development including judicial and other appointments. To register for the course email: ACampbell@BarCouncil.org.uk.
Freya Newbery is a member of the Bar Council Equality and Diversity Committee
PRACTICALITIES — ADVANCE PLANNING
Compulsory insurance
Continuing professional development
Email: LPrats@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk.
Bar Council subscriptions
Check the up-to-date position with the Bar Council and keep it informed: Email: SmitaShah@BarCouncil.org.uk.
Accounts
VAT
Subscription services
Chambers rent/direct debits
Maternity benefit
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT — KEEPING IN TOUCH
Some uncertainty over the timing and potential limiting factors around the return to work is usually inevitable. Positive forward and flexible management is helpful in ensuring a comfortable return.
Contact and communication
Cheques and post
Continuing your practice
Mentor/contact buddy
Returning to work
Put return/update meeting in diary
At the return meeting
Going on maternity leave or pursuing other outside interests? With forward planning and good communication, career breaks can work. Freya Newbery offers some practical guidance.
The Bar has traditionally embraced flexible working arrangements, which has allowed barristers to pursue a range of outside interests such as taking part-time judicial or academic appointments, or becoming MPs, writers, or actors, in addition to taking maternity or paternity leave. What it demonstrates is that a successful career at the Bar can be combined with time consuming outside interests.
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