Case in point: Most law firms are now operating on a hybrid model. What was unthinkable a little over three years ago has today become the industry norm. Further proof of this resounding victory is highlighted in the battle for the return-to-office (RTO) and which tactics firms are using (or not using) to accomplish this.
According to a survey of the Am Law 100 this year, about 34% of firms are mandating three days a week in the office; 33% of firms are encouraging three days in the office — and 30% couldn’t answer the question. When it comes to mandates, Thomson Reuters’ 2022 State of the Legal Market report found — even at one day per week — firms that had them experienced double the turnover rate of firms that did not.
Here’s the problem with encouraging attendance: While talent leads the work-from-home battle, most firms believe the remote environment damages personal relationships at work, dilutes the “stickiness” of individual attorneys to the firm and to their peers, and may be a contributor to the ease with which lawyers are moving firms. So it’s a bit of a tightrope act for firm leadership to somehow get their professionals in the office with some kind of regularity — but without the perils of a misstep that may lead to increased attorney attrition.
WHAT MAKES RETURNING TO THE OFFICE SUCCESSFUL?
In a study cited by Thomson Reuters’ 2023 State of the Legal Market report, Microsoft surveyed 20,000 people and analyzed trillions of Microsoft 365 productivity signals to determine what factors are most important in getting employees to return to their offices. The survey disclosed, perhaps not surprisingly, that the real value of the office is not the place, but the people.
When asked what would motivate them to come into the office, the surveyed employees had a resounding answer — time with coworkers:
- 85% of employees would be motivated to go into the office to rebuild team bonds.
- 84% of employees would be motivated to go into the office if they could socialize with co-workers.
- 74% of employees would go to the office more frequently if they knew their “work friends” were there.
- 73% of employees would go to the office more frequently if they knew their direct team members would be there.
This research strongly suggests that firms should design strategies that entice professionals into the office to connect rather than enact mandates or other punitive measures. Some law firms have started to tie in-office attendance to job security and bonuses, a trend that could expand given the excess capacity that many firms currently have. However, the data suggests this may not be the best way to attract lawyers back.