Working Hours at Allens

Very happy. Probably work 8.30-5.30 most days.

Hours are variable. There is less flexibility in the first six months of the Graduate program was we are not admitted lawyers and therefore require supervision (or at least that is the firms policy) and are required to work exclusively between the hours of 9am and 6pm. This has its pros and cons. Personally, I didn't love the firm time periods because if you were very busy, the day would be a frantic rush. Equally, it was sometimes unclear if it would be culturally acceptable to leave prior to 6 if you were not busy. However, I just spoke with a few of the lawyers in my team who made it abundantly clear that there was no obligation to stay if you were quiet and that sorted it out for me. Saying that, the firm time periods do act as a protective mechanism and this is an overwhelmingly good thing (particularly by contrast to experiences my friends at other firms have had). So on balance, although I personally would have preferred more flexibility (especially as in my personal circumstance, my wife often has to work late so I would prefer to also work late on those days where possible) I think it is a good thing. Equally, now that I am admitted I essentially have free reign to manage my own time. We also have a 3 day in the office requirement but no one is actively managing or pushing that which is good. So if you, for whatever reason, need to work from home for a longer period of time some weeks, no one is prying into your life asking for why.

As a Graduate, the hours are quite inflexible due to the LSA and all unadmitted law graduates are required to work in office full time.

Allens has a 60:40 office/home policy, but most teams are very flexible provided you communicate and are available when you need to be. Allens is also largely very strict with the LSA meaning grads needs to go home no later than 6pm until they're admitted - unless partner approval is given to work later. I found this really helpful for building good habits around productivity and work-life balance.

Allens is quite flexible with working hours and work from home opportunities. Even though the hours can be long, the partners are (thankfully) not following up on your whereabouts. They give you plenty of autonomy.

We work hard at this firm, but there is a sense of personal responsibility involved in these hours which I appreciate.

I have very rarely needed to work late (and when I did, the seniors made sure I went home ASAP). My team has let me work from home as necessary and leave early when things are quiet.

So far the company has been strict with the LSA so there hasn't been much flexibility, we work the LSA hours and I have only been given permission to stay behind once. It seems like it's flexible once you're off the LSA but I can't comment on that yet.

Three days in the office minimum (which means two days working from home). These are sometimes long days, but with proper communication of personal commitments, there are usually no issues.

Work whenever you want so long as you get the work done.

Allens is really great at honouring and enforcing the LSA as a clerk, paralegal and grad. We are permitted to work from home and late nights are only required when necessary.

My usual day is 9 - 7 or 8, which is much later than other jobs. Sometimes we feel obliged to stay in the office and work longer, even if something is not urgent, because we see others doing the same thing. There is good flexibility though if I need to attend an appointment and this is encouraged and respected by the team.

There is a wfh policy of 3 days a week in the office, but it is not strictly policed. Workplace flexibility is encouraged, especially for those with carer duties.

Flexible on hours. Can do work how it works for me

I prefer to work in the office because I learn better, but we have a 60:40 rule (2 days WFH, 3 days in office)

I was covered by the LSA until my admission, so finished by 6pm each day (though usually more like 5:30pm). Since coming off the LSA I've only had a handful of post-6pm finishes - I'm usually in at 8:30am and out by 6pm. I haven't exercised it, but the firm is definitely flexible with hours - I know a lot of people transit home early in the afternoon early to do school pick up and log back on later.

I am comfortable that even when I work late there is flexibility to finish early / start later during the quiet times. Might be more of an issue as I progress.

2/5 days wfh.

Very flexible but generally high expectations for total working hours.

I generally work from 8:30am - 6pm. I have found the company is very flexible if I ask to make accommodations for activities like cultural or personal commitments. There is definitely a pressure to be available outside of regular work hours which can be hard to navigate, but is different on a team-by-team basis.