| London-based law firm Stephenson Harwood came into some criticism this week when it was reported that it is offering its employees the option to work remotely but for a smaller pay packet. The move has got people talking, not least Alice Stephenson, founder of Stephenson Law in Bristol who operates her business with a remote workforce of 40 staff around the world. "I have no idea what was going through Stephenson Harwood's brain when they agreed to this policy," she told Hannah Baker in this interview for BusinessLive. She said: "Times have changed and remote working is here to stay. For the business, remote working can result in a decreased environmental impact, reduced overhead costs, and a widened recruitment pool." When Ms Stephenson started her career in law she was a single mother - but had no option to choose remote working. It is part of the reason she is determined to offer her staff the option, she told BusinessLive . "[I was] battling to compete in a field that gave little consideration to my circumstances. Had I had the benefit of remote and flexible working, I have no doubt that those early days would have been easier." Stephenson Harwood, meanwhile, said its hybrid working policy "strikes the right balance". Their decision is based on the fact that it hired a lot of workers from outside of London during the pandemic. A spokesperson said: "During the pandemic, for a small number of roles in our London office, we looked beyond London and recruited people who lived elsewhere in the UK. It enabled us to access and attract talented candidates who might not otherwise have been available to us. The packages we offered – including salaries, but also expectations – were different from what we offer our people who regularly work from the office in London."
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