Robert Halton

The firm is working in partnership with Bright Horizons to implement a range of new work and family policies to help retain staff, with new statistics revealing that seven in 10 working parents in senior roles are looking for alternative employment.

Returning employees will be given four Bright Horizons coaching sessions, all of which are designed to help individuals think strategically and practically about integrating their career and family life.

Of those who have taken part in the programme to date, 100 per cent felt it encouraged their commitment to the law firm.

One employee said: “Burges Salmon provides a lot of support for women returning from maternity leave and their commitment to ongoing support and development is impressive and far better than other law firms.”

Another said: “At a time when I felt most vulnerable and out of my depth, my coach was on hand to normalise those feelings and work on coping mechanisms to get me back into the working world.”

Another employee said: “I found the coaching incredibly helpful. Returning to work remotely as a first-time mum, I found I had a dip in confidence. My coach enabled me to look at things with a different perspective and regain faith that I’d gained more skills whilst being away from work that I can use in my role now.”

Robert Halton, chief people officer at Burges Salmon, said: “As an inclusive employer, we ensure that our people coming back from family leave receive the support they need to aid their successful return.

“Bright Horizons is a leader in this field and the feedback we receive on both the coaching experience itself and the positive impact the coaching has achieved is fantastic.”

Denise Priest, executive director for Work + Family Solutions at Bright Horizons, added: “There is a huge overlap between what happens at home and work, but connecting the two allows people from all backgrounds to flourish at work. It also addresses the urgent need for a qualified and talented workforce.

“Burges Salmon recognises that supporting employees’ parental journeys plays a key role in helping them achieve their goals and it’s inspiring to hear the positive impact the programme has had so far.”