In loving memory of Dr. Chierry Poyotte, who passed away on 31st May 2021. May he rest in peace.
More than a year after the first case of the coronavirus was reported in Saint Lucia, our working lives have changed. Some of us lost our jobs; were made redundant; laid off; forced into early retirement or into part-time work or the lucky ones were offered the option of working from home and flexible work.
The coronavirus (COVID) has taught us many lessons least of all how to work differently. This pandemic tested us financially, socially and mentally. Working from home has become a viable option, with the obvious advantages of saving us time and money. Here are some more reasons why working from home may become the new normal.
- More flexible: We have learnt to take time off when we feel mentally exhausted even if it is an afternoon, a day or two if we need a break from work. Self-care is no longer considered selfish but necessary to regroup, refresh and revitalise ourselves. We are no longer stuck in rigid work routines of being in the office all day, every day. We work from home sometimes, and from the office sometimes. We could be in the office seeing clients in the morning and working from home in the afternoon.
- Communication has been modified: Communicating with clients has also changed. Virtual meetings with clients used to be limited to only overseas clients but now any client can utilize this option. In fact, it is now the preferred option saving clients time and travel costs. And since court is now largely virtual as well, it means that court matters are being conducted from the comfort of your lawyer’s desk instead of driving into town, parking and then walking to the court building and waiting for my matter (s) to be called. Overseas clients can also attend court with the greatest of ease.
- More productive: We like the flexibility of either working from home or in the office. However, as social creatures, most of us prefer spending most of our work day at the office. Occasionally, we want to be alone at home working but that is for trial preparation and legal research- as we can get work done interruption free. We are more productive, if we can remove any distractions at home and the office and work uninterrupted.
- No commute: We save a lot of time and money by working from home especially if we live far away from our workplace. In fact, some workers have considered moving house to accommodate creating a home office. So they see the value of working from home.
Since the laws must reflect societal norms and procedures, they will eventually change to accommodate the increasing demand for flexible work days that we all enjoy now. As long as we can demonstrate that we can work productively from home as we do at the office, this change in our legislation is inevitable.
Ms. Trudy O. Glasgow, B.A (History), LL.B (Hons), B.V.C, LL.M, P.C.H.E is a practising attorney at the law firm Trudy O. Glasgow & Associates, a court-appointed mediator, author, and legal columnist (Simpy law) in Saint Lucia (and has also taught law at University level in the UK)*. Ms. Glasgow is the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet ( 1st July 2020- 30th June 2021); Former Vice President of the Saint Lucia Bar Association (2015-2019), Vice President of the Parents’ Teachers’ Association at St. Mary’s College, and Co-Chair of 100 women who care, The St. Lucia Chapter.
This column is for general use only, for advice specifically for your case, please see your lawyer.
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Next week: What constitutes cheating?
By Trudy O. Glasgow B.A., LL.B (Hons), BVC, LL.M, P.C.H.E*