But the email was not serious - and staff in the 20 offices of Weil Gotshal & Manges did not find its contents amusing. By the end of the day executive partner Barry Wolf had sent out another email by way of apology and explanation. He wrote: 'We know and appreciate the hard work that all of you do. We have and continue to take work-life balance seriously and are always evaluating ways to improve the quality of life here, given the intensity and demands of the profession.'

European work/life pioneers

The email was based quite precisely upon the wording used in some European companies which are now experimenting with expanding the reach of their work/life balance policies. Source: ABA