How to achieve work-life balance in the age of hybrid working?

The concept of working in the office five days a week seems unimaginable to most NQs starting out in law firms. But for those of us who remember, this was the daily reality, combining a hectic work schedule and long commute with family life and social commitments.

Within the legal industry, this rigidity meant many Lawyers sought out firms that either offered flexibility or, more often, reduced hours. These were typically west end or boutique firms, where the trade-off was clear: fewer target hours and access to high-quality work, in exchange for a lower salary. For many, it was a price worth paying to have a life outside of work.

In the post-Covid era, the legal sector has embraced formalised hybrid and remote working. Most firms now offer a flexible working policy, two or three days in the office and the remainder from home. This raises a reasonable question:

Why would I move to a firm, for less money when I have the flexibility of working from home already?

The flexibility of hybrid doesn’t always mean balance

The simple answer is that working from home doesn’t guarantee a clear separation between your job and your personal life. For that reason, there are still key advantages to joining a firm where true work life balance is embedded in its structure, not just its policies.

Fewer billable hours equals better balance

While hybrid working now exists in most large firms, boutique and west end firms still offer the lowest billable hour targets on the market. These typically range from 1300 to 1400 hours and in some cases, there are no formal targets at all.

The impact is tangible: fewer all-nighters, more consistent breaks, and a working pattern that doesn’t bleed into every other aspect of your life.

For those struggling to set boundaries or maintain focus while working remotely, staying productive from home can be just as challenging as in-office life.

Expectations haven’t disappeared, they’ve increased

Despite having more flexibility, many associates report working longer hours now than when they were in the office five days a week. Why? Because lawyers’ homes have become their offices. Increased accessibility has, for many, turned into increased availability.

In contrast, expectations in west end and boutique firms tend to be significantly lower, precisely because the target hours are lower. The culture in these firms typically encourages healthier boundaries and gives lawyers more ownership of their time.

Managing your time and expectations can also become harder when your day is filled with back-to-back video calls.

Balance is still possible but firm culture matters

So can you still get a real work life balance in the age of hybrid working? Yes – but only when it’s supported by the firm’s ethos, expectations and working environment.

Boutique and west end firms that have long prioritised balance don’t just offer fewer hours. They also provide a culture that allows associates to take control of their careers, maintain perspective and preserve the separation between work and life that’s so easy to lose.

For more information on the west end and boutique law firm market, or to discuss your next career move, contact a member of our law firm recruitment team.