Law partners show appreciation with long weekend for staff

Edmonds Judd managing partner Chris Grenfell serves a coffee while partner Mandy Rasmussen mans the firm's reception so staff can have an "appreciation day" of leave. Photo / Supplied

Te Awamutu and Ōtorohanga law firm Edmonds Judd held a staff appreciation day on Monday - giving 40 staff across the two offices a long weekend by having the day off while the firm's partners staffed the Te Awamutu office.

Managing partner Chris Grenfell, who turned from barrister to barista for part of the day, says staff have been through the stress and uncertainty of Covid, the lockdown, and a property market that has kept us on our toes.

"My partners and I wanted to express our appreciation to our staff who have continued to look after our clients during those ups and downs," he says.

"We wanted to do something tangible, and provide an opportunity to spend more time with family, friends, or just relaxing during what is a long period between Queen's Birthday and Labour Day.

"An appreciation day seemed like the ideal way to do this."

The partners had to learn new skills in the lead-up to the big day.

This meant completing daily banking summaries, answering and transferring phone calls, and making appointments all had to be learnt before the appreciation day.

Chris says one key skill was to master the firm's coffee machine – which is a hit with staff and clients.

"Our clients love our coffee and I knew that it was essential to ensure that any clients visiting the office on Monday needed to get the same quality service they would when visiting on any other day.

"We were fortunate to have a top local barista train our team."

Chris says on a more serious note, Edmonds Judd has a strong focus on staff wellbeing and it is something the stress of Covid has brought to the forefront of their attention.

"As a firm we hope that acknowledging that things can be tough helps normalise conversations around wellbeing.

"I also want to thank our clients, and colleagues in the legal, banking and real estate sectors who have been so supportive and understanding in the day of slightly unusual 'business as usual'.

"Our key takeaway was a renewed appreciation for all the things our staff do to help our clients – while we survived the day, it really takes the whole team, and each of the partners was very much looking forward to the rest of team being in on Tuesday."