b"BACK TO NAVIGATIONComparison of Flexible WorkingAusLSA MembersAll Legal ServicesAccountingAll ProfessionalAustralian Industry Services Policy100% 89% 83% 72% 57%Paid Parental Leave97% 82% 58% 77% 81%Paid Parental Leave - weeks 16 (related to tenure) 11 11 9 10Secondary Carers Leave 97% 80% 67% 57% 42%Source: WGEA Comparison tool 2020 AusLSA Member PerformanceThe combined effects of closed offices and grounded planes across Australia and globally would have been catastrophic for law firms if not for the commitment and progress of flexible working programs and agile working approaches.AusLSA members are sharing stories of massive and sudden transitions to implement remote and flexible working arrangements, that went surprisingly smoothly. Early indications were that staff adapted quickly to working in remote settings, maintaining their effectiveness while juggling the additional, unexpected impact of overcoming home office teething issues, significant travel restrictions and for many, the additional responsibilities associated with family caring, including for many, the requirement to support home schooling. While no firms reported preparing specifically for the extent of these widespread shutdowns and travel restrictions, they have proven to be very resilient.Access to flexible working by Australian lawyers is relatively high in comparison to other professional services organisations and Australian industry in general. The recent uptake of digital technologies in the industry have assisted law firms to develop programs and increase flexible working options.The experiences with remote working were improved by (among other things) the prior investment in technology, agile working systems and behaviour change. The foundation of technology and work processes has been enhanced quickly to find new solutions to emerging issues and needs. The implementation of a range of flexible working options has allowed individuals and teams to seamlessly manage immediate priorities to deliver their projects and has enabled firms to find new ways to market their practices, win and deliver new work. AusLSA reporting has always indicated that a solid understanding and support of flexible working for all staff as well as supporting parents and other carers in the workplace, has been in place.This is echoed for the fourth consecutive year, and all report respondents have indicated that flexible working policies and programs are in place. The number of firms that had previously implemented flexible working options placed them in a better position for when their offices closed in February and March.We have also seen a greater number of support programs to assist parents to better balance their family and work objectives.Ninety-seven percent of firms provide paid parental leave for secondary carers in addition to their paid primary carer schemes, which increased from ninety-three percent in 2018. The percentage of women resigning or leaving the firm following maternity leave can be an indicator of the effectiveness of flexible working and other support arrangements available to successfully balance their family commitments with their career. On average only six percent of female legal staff from our reporting firms resigned during or within six months after returning from maternity leave, which is a reduction of more than half from fourteen percent in 2019. This may indicate that flexible working options that support, enable and encourage women to continue working have improved. PARENTAL LEAVE OPTIONS FLEXIBLE LEAVE OPTIONS100% Flexible hours of work90% Part time opportunities for most roles80% Job sharingRemote working tools and systems70% Flexible leave program promotionCoaching and support60% Time in lieu50% Unpaid leave40% Carer's leaveChild Care30% Phased retirement20% Return from leave budget allowances10% New Parents Billable Hours ReliefCompassionate Leave0% Domestic and Family ViolenceSupport LeavePaid leave for Paid leave for Additional leave Leave Buy Backprimary care giver secondary care giver without pay available Grandparent's leave0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%Perecentage of firmsAverage number of initiatives per firm: 1225"