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Career Center: Associate Morale Survey Results – Part 2

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In part 1 of the results of the Associate Morale Survey, brought to you by Lateral Link, we revealed that 74% of respondents felt that associate morale was either the same or worse than last year. Though not entirely surprising, this result is troubling, given that low employee morale is not helpful to the economic recovery.

What, then, can firms do to boost struggling associate morale?  The top solution, according to 67% of survey respondents, is for firms to be more open and transparent about decisions that affect associates. The next most popular option is for firms to unfreeze salaries and/or reverse pay cuts, cited by 44% of respondents. So to our Biglaw partner readers, remember that a little candor can go a long way with associates, and salary cuts and freezes are so 2008.

What additional responses made the wish list?

Here they are:

  • 39% want benefits or perks reinstated.
  • 28% want a promise of no more layoffs.
  • 25% want a different compensation system.
  • Additionally, several respondents cast write-in votes for wanting the following: bigger bonuses, more attorneys hired, or partners to bring in more business.

In terms of associate sentiment about how firms handled the recession, 40% of survey respondents expressed dissatisfaction with how their firms dealt with the downturn. But 31% of respondents say they are satisfied with their firms, and think they did the best they could do. The remaining 30% of respondents are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with how their firms handled the recession.

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One final note: If there was such a thing as an award for associate satisfaction during the recession, that award would go to Skadden. An impressive 73% of Skadden associates feel their firm did the best it could during the downturn.

Read more about how Skadden (and other top firms) fared during the recession over at the Above the Law Career Center, hosted by Lateral Link.

Career Center [Above the Law]

Earlier: Career Center Survey: Is Associate Morale on the Mend?

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