In this forward-thinking episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Dominic Holmes, Employment Law Partner at Kilgannon Law and Leaders Plus mentor.

Dominic shares his expert insights on the evolving landscape of employment law, the future of flexible working, and how the UK workplace needs to adapt if we’re serious about equality and productivity.

A working parent himself, Dominic reflects on going part-time early in his legal career and how that shift transformed his effectiveness both at work and at home.

Together, they explore:

✔️ Why flexible working should be the default, and what proposed legal reforms might mean for employees and employers alike.

✔️ How organisations can move beyond presenteeism and value output over hours worked.

✔️ The personal and organisational benefits of part-time leadership.

✔️ Why the current legal system still fails many working parents—especially women—and how to build a better one.

✔️ The real reason we need a cultural and mindset shift around productivity and long-hours culture.

✔️ How Dominic manages senior client relationships while working a four-day week.

✔️ What a fair, inclusive future of work might look like for the next generation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🔹 Why reduced hours can make you a more focused and effective leader

🔹 How legal reforms could reshape employer obligations around flexibility

🔹 Why traditional “commitment” metrics fail working parents

🔹 The risks of defaulting to full-time roles without justification

🔹 Practical ways to challenge assumptions about career progression and presence

Show Notes:

• Connect with Dominic Holmes on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Kilgannon Law at kilgannonlaw.co.uk
• Learn more about the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast and explore additional resources at leadersplus.org.
• Follow Leaders Plus on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.
• Connect with our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE on LinkedIn.
• Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

More BCSC episodes you might love:

Episode 208: Nadia Bunyan MCIPD & Tatiana Pignon - How to Successfully Implement a 4-Day Week Without Sacrificing Impact

[Future of Work] Episode 185: Lucy Kemp - How AI Will Impact the Future of Work & How to Prevent Women From Leaving the Workforce