Flexible work hours, telecommuting most popular: Survey
When it comes to recruiting legal professionals, employers might want to showcase their workplace benefits programs, according to a survey by Robert Half Legal.
More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of lawyers interviewed cited "flexible work hours or telecommuting" as one of the best incentives for recruiting and retaining legal professionals, followed by "free or subsidized training or education" (50 per cent) and "on-site perks" (33 per cent). "Higher compensation" ranked fourth, with 14 per cent of the survey response.
And one-quarter (25 per cent) of the 350 lawyers responding to the survey in the United States and Canada said "leadership or advancement opportunities" would most entice them to take a job at another law firm or company, followed by "more interesting work" (14 per cent), a "flexible schedule or telecommuting" (12 per cent) and "higher compensation.”
"For lawyers who are already highly compensated in many cases, job satisfaction is often linked to non-monetary criteria," said Charles Volkert, executive director at Robert Half Legal. "These attorneys may be enticed to leave their current employer for a firm that offers more advancement opportunities, meaningful work or better work-life balance."
These factors may hold more sway than raises when it comes to recruiting and retaining gen-Y professionals, he said.
"In particular, Millennial workers, who often place great value on collaborating with their colleagues and balancing their professional and personal obligations, may seek employers who offer telecommuting, flexible work schedules and a team-oriented environment.”
Most effective perks for recruiting and retaining legal professionals
| Flexible work hours, telecommuting | 69% |
| Free or subsidized training, education | 50% |
| On-site perks (child care, dry cleaning, fitness centre, cafeteria) | 33% |
| Higher compensation | 14% |
| Free or subsidized snacks/lunch | 9% |
| Matching gifts program for charitable contributions | 9% |
| Good retirement programs | 8% |
| Health insurance, health care | 7% |
| Work or career opportunities | 3% |
| Work environment or culture | 3% |
Incentives that most entice someone to take a job at another law firm or company
| Leadership or advancement opportunities | 25% |
| More interesting work | 14% |
| Flexible schedule, telecommuting | 12% |
| Higher compensation | 9% |
| Learning or professional development opportunities | 7% |
| More vacation time | 3% |
