(L-R) Awards host AndrewRyan; Sharon Xenophontos and Claire Bright, HR managers,Macfarlanes; and Tom Pearson, commercial director, LegalWeek
Finalists: Addleshaw Goddard; Ashurst; BirchamDyson Bell; Bird & Bird; Bond Dickinson; FLEX; Hogan Lovells(highly commended); Pinsent Masons.
Macfarlanes won the human resource innovation award for itsintroduction of a virtual doctor to help curb absenteeism and givestaff better access to medical advice.
With waiting times for GP appointments in the UK often extendingfor days, and given that Macfarlanes is not large enough to justifyhiring its own in-house doctor, the firm's HR department decided tolook for alternative solutions (absenteeism had cost the firmaround 400,000 in 2015). By using the Vdoc service, Macfarlanesstaff were able to arrange remote visual consultations with adoctor at a time that was convenient to them. The firm found manyemployees who used the service had often let minor problems gountreated because of the difficulty of accessing timely medicaladvice. Vdoc doctors are usually able to issue a privateprescription immediately that can be picked up from a localchemist, giving staff quick and easy access to medication andtreatment. If further tests are needed, staff can visit Vdoc'sclinic in Canary Wharf. Each appointment is estimated to save thefirm three hours compared with conventional doctor visits.
The firm's use of the virtual doctor service shows how it istrying to meet its staff's needs and it is clearly an innovative,tech-based service, said a judge.
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