10 Tips for Successfully Negotiating Flexible Working in the Australian Legal Sector
Flexible working is no longer just a “nice to have” and it’s become a fundamental expectation across the legal profession here in Australia. From Melbourne to Brisbane, Sydney to Perth, lawyers and law firms are adapting to a new era where work-life balance means something different for everyone.
At Law Staff , we specialise in helping legal professionals and firms find flexible work solutions that truly fit both sides. Based on our experience, here are 10 practical tips to help you negotiate flexible working arrangements that work in today’s legal landscape.
1. Know What Flexibility Means to You
Flexibility isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it means working from home; for others, it’s adjusting hours to fit family needs or personal wellness routines. Be clear about your ideal setup and why it matters.
2 . Understand Your Firm’s Culture and Policies
Before you start the conversation, familiarise yourself with your firm’s existing flexible work policies and the general culture around flexibility. This helps you frame your request in a way that aligns with what’s already accepted or possible.
3. Request a Dedicated Meeting
Bring the topic of flexible work to a formal conversation. A face-to-face or virtual meeting ensures clarity and a shared understanding. Casual mentions can easily get lost or misunderstood.
4. Prepare Your Proposal Thoughtfully
Go into the meeting with notes outlining your desired hours, location, and any changes in workflow. Highlight how this arrangement can maintain or even improve your productivity. Showcase your reliability and productivity history to build trust that you can manage flexible working successfully without compromising on quality or deadlines.
5. Explain Why It Matters - For You and the Firm
Share the reasons behind your request - whether it’s family commitments, health, or achieving a better work-life balance. Just as importantly, highlight how flexibility benefits the firm too - happy, focused lawyers produce their best work. For example, you might be able to work longer hours on days when your commute is shorter or non-existent.
6. Be Flexible
Flexibility is a two-way street. Be open to alternative options your employer might suggest, such as hybrid schedules or staggered hours. Ask how they’ve made flexible arrangements work in the past, or what might work best for them. At the same time, make it clear that you’re fully committed to being in the office for client meetings, team activities, court appearances, or any other essential in-person commitments.
7. Suggest a Trial Period
Many firms prefer to begin flexible arrangements with a three-month trial period. This gives everyone a chance to see how the plan works without a long-term commitment.
8. Put Agreements in Writing
After your meeting, send a follow-up email summarising what was agreed. This ensures there’s a clear reference point for both you and your employer.
9. Plan for Regular Reviews
Set a date to revisit the arrangement, ideally after three months. This allows you to tweak the arrangement as needed to keep it working smoothly for everyone.
10. Be Prepared to Explore Other Options
If your initial request for flexible work isn’t approved, try not to be discouraged. Consider proposing alternative schedules or a gradual transition to flexibility, and keep the conversation ongoing.
If you continue to not gain traction where you are, it might be worth exploring other opportunities. Many firms offer hybrid models that may simply be a better fit for your personal circumstances. At Law Staff, we provide practical, real-world advice on how these arrangements actually work, insights you won’t typically find on firm websites.
Why Flexible Working Is Here to Stay
The pandemic fundamentally shifted expectations in the Australian legal sector. While that was over 5 years ago now, Lawyers are no longer willing to fit their lives around rigid office hours and they want work to fit their lives. Flexibility helps attract and retain top legal talent in an increasingly competitive market.
If you’re looking for help negotiating a flexible working arrangement or want to learn how other firms are making it work, the team at Law Staff is here to assist. We’re experts in matching lawyers and firms with flexible options that suit everyone.