Ashurst has ended its global reduced hours and pay scheme after three months, following an internal review. 

The policy, which came into force at the start of May in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw staff across the firm's global offices work 80% of their usual hours and receive 20% less pay. 

The official scheme will end July 31, according to a statement by global managing partner Paul Jenkins, but eligible staff who prefer working at 80% capacity will have the option to continue to do so.

Jenkins added in a statement: "Participation in our reduced working scheme, introduced as part of the Stronger Together Programme, was very strong with over 99% of eligible staff across the global firm taking part.

"We are proud of the response and the commitment and willingness that everyone in the firm has shown to pull together as a united team during a challenging period in the market."

The reduced hours scheme scheme was one of a number of measures brought in by the firm in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other measures included furloughing staff and reducing partner drawings. 

The firm also split its annual bonuses into two, with the first half still on track to be paid out at the end of July, according to one London Ashurst partner.

The firm has also begun to let its people return to its London office following a survey of staff.

A number of precautionary measures have been implemented for the return, including temperature senors at the building entrances, staggered starting and finishing times between practices, perspex screens for reception desks and restaurant tills and one-way systems for the building, according to a spokesperson for the firm.

The firm has also put in place restrictions on individual office numbers, barred large meetings and disallowed all but essential external visitors, the firm added.

A number of firms moved staff onto reduced hours and pay schemes in light of the coronavirus including Simmons & Simmons, Taylor Wessing and Norton Rose Fulbright.