When it comes to happiness at work, since Covid-19, the conversation is no longer purely about higher salaries. Learning and development opportunities, and a positive workplace culture are just as valuable. Attracting and retaining the most talented lawyers in 2024 means tackling this head-on.
“Embrace the diversity of your people, and when they raise concerns, listen to them and act on them. Be open and transparent about how people get promoted or work assigned,” says Elizabeth Rimmer, Chief Executive Officer at LawCare. “For those responsible for others, ensure they’re given the time and skill development support they need to manage others well.”
Firms can employ a range of tactics to put this into practice. Ensuring you actively recruit your candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences is key. It might also be about introducing a supportive mentorship programme, offering diversity and inclusion training, or implementing policies and practices that promote equity and fairness for all employees.
Moving towards alternative billing methods can improve mental wellbeing and increase productivity. The pressure to hit big number-based targets, without any true qualitative evaluation and feedback is one of the biggest causes of stress for lawyers. Performance measures based on client satisfaction, trust level and repeat business could be far more appealing.
