Taylor Wessing has ended part-time working contracts with an extensive pool of university students, as the firm looks to deal with the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
It is understood that the firm is parting ways with group of up to 95 university students, who have worked part-time with the firm as part of their studies. They were told to leave late last week, with the contracts ending between mid-April and late next month. The story was first reported German legal magazine Juve.
The decision comes as the firm recently had to deal with two COVID-19 cases across its London and Frankfurt offices. In the latter office, the firm decided to close the 12th floor of its German building ahead of a deep-clean. Around 40 people on the affected floor resorted to remote working.
Olaf Kranz, Germany managing partner, said in a statement: “Since initial announcements on COVID-19 were made we’ve been speaking regularly to our peers and clients to monitor developments.
“We are doing everything we can to support our people’s wellbeing and interests, now and in the long term, but these are unprecedented times for every organisation, and professional services firms are all facing the challenge of navigating our businesses through this period.”
He added: “We appreciate the impact that this decision has on those affected and it was not a decision taken lightly.”
