Milan's New Normal: What Returning to the Office Looks Like

Markings on the floor, mandatory masks and only one person in a lift at a time. These are some of the measures being used by Italy’s top law firms as lawyers begin to return to the office following the pandemic lockdown.

The strict measures offer a glimpse into what life could be like in other major legal markets, such as London, once COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Several top firms’ Milan bases began lifting restrictions and reopening offices on a limited basis at the beginning of May although remote working is still being recommended. But those who are travelling in are finding a very different environment to the one they left.

Leading Italian firm BonelliErede is paying for staff who wish to travel into the office to use taxis or other private transportation, according to two partners at the firm.

Another Bonelli partner told Law.com International that wearing masks is mandatory for staff other than in single occupancy rooms, with masks being provided at the entrance. The firm is providing everyone with two reusable masks, plus two disposable masks daily.

Bonelli’s Milan office has placed distancing markings in proximity of the entrance, near lifts and water dispensers.

“We have implemented a very strict safety protocol”, a partner said, “all common areas are closed and there is only one person at a time in lifts”.

“Common areas are sanitised every two hours”, another partner added, describing law firms as behaving “even more prudently than the government”.

A partner who has returned to Bird & Bird’s Milan office said the firm has divided its lawyers into two teams who never meet, with one team going in two days of the week and another going in for the remaining three days, before switching the following week.

The U.K.-headquartered firm has additionally restricted the number of people in communal areas, with only one person allowed in shared kitchens at a time.

“It’s a question of social responsibility. We shouldn’t be going around the city when we have remote working capabilities.”

The partner also said that they personally do not wear their mask when in their own room, but in more shared spaces such as lifts, they remain vigilant in keeping it on.

“For me it is quite important to come to the office as I have plenty of things to do here”, they continued.

Yet, some Italian lawyers are in no rush to return to the office, with just 64 out of Bonelli’s 550 staff accessing its Milan office in its first week of opening.

“It’s a question of social responsibility”, said one partner. “We shouldn’t be going around the city when we have remote working capabilities. There are people who need to go to work more than we do”. 

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