Law.com Trendspotter: As Delta Dashes Dreams of a Post-Pandemic Fall, Law Firm Leaders Rethink Office Returns
The internal and external messaging from these firms has reflected both a desire to keep pushing toward the goal of an office return as soon as possible and a recognition that rushing back is not only potentially unsafe, but also unnecessary.
August 11, 2021 at 05:00 AM
7 minute read
Credit: leolintang/Shutterstock
The Trend:
The spread of the Delta variant has forced a number of law firms in recent weeks to delay or alter their office return plans, including mandating vaccinations for those resuming in-person work.
The Driver:
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed guidance on mask mandates in May, it became clear that some Big Law leaders (not to mention clients) were eager to press the accelerator on office returns. But just a few short months later, some firms are pumping the brakes once again as we skid into an uncertain fall.
Several are also taking the step of making vaccinations or, in the alternative, proof of a negative COVID test a prerequisite for setting foot in the door.
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