Finding quality support staff for your law firm can be a challenge, though currently there is hardly a lack of talent in the pool. Despite there being a wealth of talent currently seeking jobs, law firms must be able to offer more than just a cheque ever few weeks.
Here are some things that you can do to help your firm attract the best legal support staff possible.
Of course, there is more to a job than just making money. But the reality is that if you are not offering a salary that is at least on a par with the other firms in your city, you will have a hard time landing quality applicants. This is not to say that you can ignore all the other factors so long as you are paying a high rate. Nor is it to say that you absolutely must pay more than every other firm out there. However, you will have to make sure your wage offerings are competitive with other similarly-situated firms in your area.
In addition to paying your legal support staff a decent wage, you should consider what other perks might help make the job more attractive to them. These perks can range from small things such as complimentary coffee and soft drinks to major things such as matching retirement savings, improved insurance offerings, or tuition reimbursement for classes that your employees opt to take in furtherance of their careers. Furthermore, post-lockdown, have you considered implementing a more flexible work plan? For many legal practices this is becoming the new nortm. That's not to say that you should let all staff work from home all the time, but a day a week can be very appealing to candidates. This may be a big factor for potential staff and is well worth considering.
If you want to see your support staff thrive in their respective careers, you absolutely should consider a strong mentoring programme. A seasoned mentor can meet with their assigned staff on a regular basis and help guide them in making wise career choices. This gives the support staff a leg up and helps them feel that they are a valued and important part of the team. What's more, it will give your support staff a way to provide feedback to the firm on sensitive topics before they go too far and end up causing staff dissatisfaction.
Interestingly, studies have shown that employee satisfaction derives a strong boost from an employee's perception that his or her employer cares about them. This may be one of the most affordable things you can do for your support staff: let them know that you care, and that they are a valuable part of the team.
One item that tends to increase staff unhappiness, which in turn leads to higher turnover rates, is the tools the firm provides. Staff who are tasked with challenging jobs without having the proper tools to get them done will be unhappy and will quickly leave the firm for better employment conditions elsewhere.
One excellent option is the legal practice management software. LawMaster gives your staff the latest in efficient and innovative ways to perform their jobs quickly and reliably.
Legal software can automate workflow, freeing your staff to focus their energy on other matters. Depending on the specifics of your practice, it may even be possible to move support staff to a completely paperless work space. An added advantage of this is that it is accessible outside of the office to allow employees to access their work from other locations, further increasing job satisfaction and employee morale.
Having the right legal support staff can make a huge difference in the success of your law firm. As such, you must take steps to attract the best employees you can, and retain them once you have them. By taking proactive steps to this end, you can help promote the success and profitability of your firm. Contact us today to see how LawMaster can upgrade your practice.