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Survey: Lawyers seek non-financial perks

May 30, 2013

Sixty-nine percent of lawyers cite “flexible work hours or telecommuting” as one of the best incentives for recruiting and retaining legal professionals, according to a survey by Robert Half Legal. “Free or subsidized training or education” followed with 50 percent. In a separate question, “leadership or advancement opportunities” would most entice lawyers to take a job with another law firm or company.

The survey asked lawyers, “Which of the following perks, if any, are most effective for recruiting and retaining legal professionals?” Multiple responses were permitted. The top five responses included:

  1. Flexible work hours or telecommuting: 69 percent
  2. Free or subsidized training or education: 50 percent
  3. On-site perks (childcare, dry cleaning, fitness center, cafeteria, etc.): 33 percent
  4. Higher compensation (salary, bonus, stock options): 14 percent
  5. Free or subsidized snacks/lunch: 9 percent

Lawyers also were asked, “Which one of the following incentives would most entice you to take a job with another law firm or company?” The top five responses included:

  1. Leadership or advancement opportunities: 25 percent
  2. More interesting work: 14 percent
  3. Flexible schedule or telecommuting: 12 percent
  4. Higher compensation (salary, bonus, stock options): 9 percent
  5. Learning or professional development opportunities: 7 percent

The survey was developed by Robert Half Legal and conducted by an independent research firm. It included telephone interviews with 350 lawyers in the United States and Canada who have hiring authority within their organizations.