HR
professionals in the legal sector are being urged to work more closely with
senior lawyers to help recruit and retain staff.
A
new report by recruitment consultancy EJ Legal claims that young lawyers are
not committed to a traditional legal career.
Two-thirds
of lawyers believe the career structure is in need of change, while 85 per cent
of HR professionals believe it is fine.
When
asked whether the opportunity to follow a different career path would have an
impact on retention, 60 per cent of partners said that it would.
But
45 per cent of HR professionals do not see it as an issue.
Robert
Halton, HR director at law firm DLA, believes young lawyers are following a new
approach to their careers.
He
said, "The traditional legal career structure was to join a solicitors and
work your way up to the top. Lawyers, as are all employees, are now looking to
develop their reputations and CVs by using the names of companies to develop
their careers."
Eighty-five
per cent of HR staff believe family-friendly policies are key to retaining
lawyers, and 65 per cent of those without such policies said they are
considering introducing them.
Halton
said, "The question of retention is not about family-friendly policies but
about schemes that are flexible for all employees, including access to mobile
phones and laptops. To increase retention, we allow employees to buy extra
holidays after three years of employment."
EJ
Legal’s Warren Green said, "The survey reveals a widespread difference of
opinion between legal and HR professionals. To ensure lawyers’ concerns are
addressed, the two must start working closer together to ensure there is not a
decline in talent joining the profession, or indeed, lawyers leaving the
profession."
By
Paul Nelson
