Lawyers remain happy despite increased workloads
Law firm employees are working the equivalent of an extra day a week compared to the start of the year, with many firms failing to fill spaces left by departing staff members.
Research from recruitment consultant Badenoch & Clark found that one in five employees claims to have an increased workload with 41 per cent of 1,000 respondents saying their firms had not replaced staff that had left.
Despite the claims of increased workloads, the research found that 82 per cent of lawyers are happy in their jobs, although just 77 per cent are planning to take their full holiday entitlement this year.
Badenoch & Clark executive director Alison Burgin said although lawyers remain happy in their jobs, law firms need to continue focusing on engagement and long-term talent management strategies.
“It’s natural for employees to keep their heads down when the economy is weaker, but loyalty shouldn’t be taken for granted or resources stretched to breaking point if employers want to avoid storing up trouble for the future,” said Burgin.
In terms of loyalty, the research found that the majority of employees in the legal sector want to stay with their current employers, with 73 per cent saying they do not plan to change jobs this year.
That said, significantly lower than expected pay rises and bonuses may rock the boat, with 50 per cent of respondents saying they will not stay loyal to their current firm if they are disappointed financially this year.
Readers' comments (5)
Anonymous | 18-Aug-2008 3:04 pm
Really!!!
I find this hard to belive. A friend of mine who is a psychiatrist in London tells me that the amount of lawyers who are his patients is totally disproprortionate to any other profession. I say buy shares in the Priory during the economic down turn. Sounds like the only sane investment right now.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Tired City associate | 18-Aug-2008 4:49 pm
I also find this hard to believe....
Exactly WHICH lawyers are they talking to? In my 7yrs PQE experience of private practice, a "happy lawyer" is one that is hard to find (unless you're a partner of course... and even then "happiness" is not necessarily a given).
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 19-Aug-2008 11:05 pm
is this meant to be a joke?
Long hours, unrealistic billing targets, more work, and then even more, = happiness?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Abhiroop Basu | 20-Aug-2008 1:44 am
Total agreement
Why wouldn't lawyers be happy? Sure the work is tough, long, and stressful. But looking at the benefits, you're earning at top end of the ladder, your job is relatively secure (when compared with say the financial services industry), your work may see you have to delve into matters you had never even conceived of before...all the while keeping your life interesting.
There are few jobs today where you can make a lot of money by putting in a little effort. Everyone needs to work hard but I find that working as a lawyer seems quite idyllic.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Cynical Lawyer | 20-Aug-2008 7:30 am
Seriously!!!
Someone is clearly delusional in all this. There is no such thing as a Happy Lawyer!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment