The pandemic accelerated the way in which businesses function. The transition to flexible ways of working was already underway when the pandemic began, but globally, businesses were forced by circumstance to implement more flexible ways of working very quickly. Swift implementation – most often without a comprehensive legal framework – has, in part, compounded the problem. Having the technology to be able to work away from traditional places of work is amazing, but the drawbacks have been widely documented, particularly the phenomenon of being “on call” 24/7; the “always on culture.” The legal profession is just one example of how things have changed. Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s Chair Madeleine McDonough explores the issue with London Solicitor/Partner Alison Newstead for a global look at how countries around the world view the “Right to Disconnect” as part of our Environmental, Social and Governance podcast series, E2 – Examining ESG + litigation risks.

Shook has 18 offices in the United States and London, with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security, and regulatory counseling.