Staff Layoffs

'Black Monday' For Simpson Thacher Staff

By  
on

Simpson Thacher laid off a number of staffers yesterday. Our sources report that there was massive confusion for associates and clients while the cuts were being made. People around the office have been calling it “Black Monday,” and it looks like the firm isn’t done laying people off.
Simpson Thacher did not respond to our multiple requests for comment.
But our sources report that the layoffs started Friday night. On Friday, the firm fired its overnight document duplication team, and made reductions to the shift that starts at 6:00 p.m. Sources report that the cuts affected 10 – 20 people.
The employees were escorted out by security Friday evening.
But that is not what caused the confusion on Monday morning. More details after the jump.


When most firms cut staff, they say the layoffs will improve firm efficiency while not affecting client services. But Simpson Thacher fired a large percentage of its receptionists, on Monday. Until yesterday, STB had receptionists on every floor. They were there not only to greet clients, but to take attendance of which attorneys were in the office. But when lawyers showed up to work on Monday, the receptionists were mysteriously gone. Here’s the only notice attorneys received:

Notice –Reception Desk Coverage
Effective Monday, June 15, 2009, the reception desk coverage at 425 Lex. is on floors 6, 16, 24, and 30. Reception coverage on these floors (including CE and CW) is 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. The elevator service at 425 Lexington has been programmed to stop on all floors after 6:00 pm and before 9:00 am.

Another tipster explains the fallout from the STB cuts:

In the morning there were no receptionists. As usual, the Administration failed to inform everyone of what was happening. There was confusion when clients arrived for meetings since there weren’t any receptionists to greet or direct clients. Since their weren’t any receptionists to mark attendance there was firm-wide confusion of who was truly in the office.
During the morning secretaries were called to a conference room to be given the bad news.

It is it really wise for Simpson Thacher to be inconveniencing clients during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression?
In any event, we’ve been told that the Simpson staff cuts will continue, today. Who will Simpson cut next?
Earlier: Simpson Thacher Dishes Out Summer Associate Meal Policies
Tragic News From Simpson Thacher

Sponsored

Topics