COOLEY — MEMO — FLEXIBLE REMOTE AND IN-OFFICE WORKING
All,
Since COVID-19 began spreading across the globe, we have encountered unexpected challenges and change. And yet, with unwavering trust in one another and in this institution, we have not merely weathered these many months, but have thrived and provided the highest level of excellence to our clients while continuing to support each other. Coming together, we have achieved remarkable success while navigating uncharted territory professionally and personally. Thank you for what you have done to get us to this point. We are grateful for the time many of you took to complete the return-to-office survey, as well as for the further input of so many people across the firm.
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Before the pandemic, our physical office spaces were the hub of our work lives, the places that brought the Cooley family together. They will remain so in the future, but probably not in the way that had become so comfortable, perhaps even routine. The fact is that the workplace as we knew it will likely never be quite the same. In many ways, this will be for the better: We are and will be more nimble and more creative. At the same time, the Cooley culture we cherish – and which so differentiates us from our primary competitors – is the product of the trust and bonds we developed over the years by sharing experiences in person. Essentially, we have evolved to such a degree that our workplace of the future will be neither fully remote nor fully in person.
Consistent with that evolution, for the balance of 2021 across our US offices, we will not institute a mandatory return date or require a minimum number of in-office days for those whose job duties permit remote work. For the remainder of this year, we welcome all whose personal circumstances and comfort levels permit to begin reacquainting yourselves with office life and with one another. With everyone’s health and well-being as our essential priority, and with the goal of making our workplaces as safe as reasonably possible, by Labor Day everyone working in or visiting one of our US offices must be fully vaccinated. We will process requests for reasonable accommodation to this policy based on a legally protected reason on an individualized basis. Employees seeking such an accommodation should contact Shannon Gallagher or Julie Delay. We understand there will be some whose personal circumstances mean they will remain in a remote work environment for the foreseeable future – please know that we understand, and we will make every effort to ensure that everyone, wherever they are, will be subject to the same spirit of inclusion and collaboration that so positively differentiates us.
As an institution, we believe that in-person collaboration and social connection are valuable, contribute to teamwork and morale, and enhance our culture. Know, too, that we are fully committed to providing an equitable experience for all, whether in the office or at home. Our office partners in charge, regional office directors and directors of administration will soon communicate some of the steps we will take on this front, as well as information regarding the processes and procedures related to the in-office experience as they evolve. See our guidelines on Cooleynet, which will be regularly reviewed and updated.
We will remain a workplace for the future, characterized by trust, support and agility – a place that best suits our people, our clients and our culture. To those ends, we are committed to staying on the leading edge of creativity and flexibility while ensuring our ability to deliver world-class legal services. Given this, and the fact that we must remain vigilant about our health and well-being, now is not the time to delineate precisely what the post-pandemic work environment will look like. We will, of course, provide more information about 2022 closer to the end of this year.
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Please stay safe and well, and know just how much you are appreciated, wherever you are working.
Mark
Mark B. Pitchford
Cooley LLP
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