A Milton Keynes-based law firm has moved to a 35-hour working week — with no reduction in pay — as part of a drive to build a more sustainable, high-performance culture.
EMW Law LLP, which holds B Corp status and includes Penman Sedgwick within its family of firms, made the shift under the leadership of managing partner James Geary, who says the move is about rethinking what productivity really means in professional services.
“The old equation is broken,” said James. “More hours does not equal better output. We want people to work smarter, not just longer — and we want to build something that’s genuinely sustainable for the long term.”
The firm, which advises businesses across the South Midlands and beyond, said client service and quality standards remain non-negotiable. The change to working hours is designed not to reduce output, but to shift the culture away from presenteeism — the practice of being at a desk for the sake of it — toward focused, energised performance.
James was clear that for many of the firm’s lawyers, long hours are already a reality. “For those already going the extra mile — and in our world, many do — this isn’t about asking for more,” he said. “It’s about creating something more sustainable underneath them.”
The 35-hour week places EMW among a growing number of professional services firms experimenting with reduced working time models, following a wave of four-day week pilots across the UK that have shown limited impact on output alongside measurable improvements in staff wellbeing.
James acknowledged the transition would require discipline. “Will it be perfect? No. Will it take discipline? Absolutely,” he said. “But if you want a high-performing business long term, you need people who are still standing.”
EMW operates across multiple offices and works with a broad client base spanning corporate, commercial, employment and property law. The firm’s B Corp certification reflects a wider commitment to operating with purpose alongside profit.
