It's fair to say that there have been a huge number of changes over the past couple of months, which have led to a need to rapidly adapt and ensure that things continue to function in many areas of our lives.
The same can definitely be said for how I have changed the way I work during this time.
As our offices are now closed to the public, we have ensured that only a skeleton staff remain working in the office with as many working remotely, from home, as possible. Fortunately, I am among those who are successfully able to work from home.
My home set up doesn't really differ too much from my work setup, I am equipped with a phone, computer and a healthy stack of papers. I do miss the regular offers for beverages though as my husband, I've discovered, never stops for a drink during the day!
Once a week or so we have a full department meeting via video conference to catch up, share some comical lockdown stories and discuss any issues we're facing while working from home. These calls have proved invaluable for passing on tips, sharing what has worked well and what we are best to avoid going forward.
The bulk of my working day, surprisingly, remains largely unchanged. I continue to assist clients via phone and email and am conferenced into all of Gregory John's meetings. While initially a bit strange, the use of video calls has enabled me to finalise attendance notes much quicker and ensure that I am more readily available to support our clients throughout the day.
Don't get me wrong, working from home isn't all sunshine and roses. Without the support of Andrea Leach, who remains in the office providing crucial on the ground support, I would be in a bit of a mess! The legal profession is notorious for being heavily paper based and although many clients and institutions have moved seamlessly to communicate via email, there will always be certain tasks where paper copies are required.
Prior to lockdown it was the norm for me to be able to pop into Gregory's office and ask questions or provide updates. Now however, at the end of most days I have a catch up call with Gregory where we run through what has happened during the day, highlight any issues and most importantly discuss who we think will be eliminated next from 'SAS Who Dares Wins' (please refer to Channel 4, this is a lockdown must-watch).
Having worked from home previously, I understand the importance of ensuring that work and home life remain distinct parts of my life. Once the working day is done, I shut the door to my spare room and end the working chapter of my day.
If you need support with a Will, LPA, or any other Private Client service
We're currently offering 50% off Wills and LPAs for key workers. At this difficult time, we want to give something back to key workers in our community. See our FAQ page for more information, or give us a call on 01245 228125 or e-mail us.
