Flexible working is now the most important consideration for lawyers looking to move

Securing a pay rise is no longer the top priority for lawyers entering the jobs market, according to new research by legal recruitment consultancy Realm Recruit. Instead, flexible working has overtaken pay as the main priority, with 83% of lawyers saying flexibility would be important to them if they were to look for a new job. 

As part of its annual market research conducted in the summer, Realm Recruit surveyed more than 100 lawyers on a variety of topics, including employee engagement, jobseeker status, wellbeing and pay. It found that, for most lawyers, flexible working has become a necessity, rather than a selling point, when it comes to looking for a new opportunity. 

Since lockdown measures were lifted in the Spring, most law firms have expected their staff to return to the office for at least part of the week. The results of the research suggest that the majority of lawyers expect to enjoy a hybrid working model, with 84% of those surveyed saying they believed that their firm should allow them to work from home for at least three days per week. 

What’s more, in data exclusive to Law Society Gazette, the majority of lawyers do not see flexible working as a stumbling block to their career progression, with 81% of respondents saying that those who spend most of their time working from home are not treated differently from those who spend most of their time in the office.  

Of the 19% who feel that employees are treated differently, however, the reasons cited include office workers being preferred for opportunities and home workers being directly or indirectly ‘kept out of the loop’.   

There has also been a significant change in the makeup of the market, with only 20% of lawyers describing themselves as active jobseekers.  

Other key findings include: 

• 83% said they felt secure in their job, up from 33% in 2020 

• 40% of lawyers haven’t had a pay increase in the last 12 months 

• 41% of lawyers said a pay rise would be very important to them in their next role 

• Almost half of lawyers do not believe they are paid fairly 

• 24% do not think their employer contributed to looking after their mental health 

• 44% said they didn’t think the leadership at their firm was representative of the firm as a whole 

The Law Society Gazette can also exclusively reveal that bonuses had not been resumed at the firms of 58% of respondents.  

Realm Recruit’s director Duane Cormell comments: 

“It’s clear that following the COVID-19 pandemic, when almost all lawyers were working remotely, individuals have realised that the traditional 9-5 office-based approach just isn’t the only option anymore. 

“It is in the best interest of firms to address their flexible working policies, as our research shows the next biggest single factor firms can continue to meaningfully compete on is pay. 

“With 80% of lawyers currently identifying as passive or inactive jobseekers, law firms have to work harder than ever before to pique the interest of prospective employees. It’s clear from the results of our research that firms must either offer flexible working options or pay their lawyers very well if they are successfully to attract, recruit and retain the best people for their business.” 

Realm Recruit has recently published the results of its research in full along with recommendations for law firms in a new report: The Great Talent Shortage: Adapting Your Attraction and Retention Strategies for 2022. 

The business will also be hosting a webinar on Thursday 9th December for senior partners, hiring managers and anyone responsible for HR and resourcing within the legal sector. Realm’s experts will be sharing their insight on how to stand out as an employer, attract the very best talent the market has to offer, and retain the team members helping to drive your firm forward.  

You can find out more and secure your free place here.