Solent: Shoosmiths launches 'new way of working'

Law firm Shoosmiths will re-open its Solent office on August 3, emerging with a new way of working – giving employees more choice to make their own decisions on where and when they work.

This is just one of the four key working principles set up by Shoosmiths, which has committed to an 'output not occupancy' ethos, with technology taking precedence over floorspace – all aimed at enhancing the firm’s client experience.

The new Shoosmiths way of working has been shaped in part by the firm’s response to the pandemic – adopting even more home-based working and providing colleagues with the necessary equipment all within a week. It also builds upon the firm’s well-established agile way of working, taking it to a new level.

When the firm opens its doors again next week on a Covid-19 Secure basis, Shoosmiths is committed to retaining a two-metre social distancing rule as well as a strict and limited number of people allowed at any location at one time (as well as a three-day notice-period for any attendance). Its Birmingham office is also trialing a new software system developed in-house, called Basecamp, which allows colleagues to book a desk, parking and other facilities.

Shoosmiths’ head of the Solent office, Paula Swain, said: “The pandemic has brought about a seismic shift in how we work, and we’ve adapted to this with enhanced agility. It’s not a case of going back to the old ways of working – we have chosen to embrace the change and do things differently and build on everything we’ve learned over the past few months.

“I am incredibly proud of how we’ve adapted as a firm – from the commitment and flexibility of our colleagues, to the speed at which our IT team fast-forwarded our working from home ability. Our new ‘Your How’ principles build on all this good work, and more importantly, goodwill.

“We have taken the opportunity for a radical refresh of our talent proposition which we know will improve working life for our teams, aid our diversity and inclusion agenda, increase our talent pool and enhance our client offering. This is a game changer.”