Biglaw

Plant Is Not Enough To Soothe Associates' Saltiness Over Special Bonuses

Doesn't take the sting out of a stiff hours requirement.

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Listen, full disclosure. I’m not a plant person. I’ve tried, really I have. Especially during quarantine, keeping some houseplants alive and thriving seemed like an admirable hobby. I even downloaded the Planta app to remind me when they need to be watered or misted or re-potted. But, it was mostly a disaster more likely to draw gnats than grow new leaves. I’ve since move on to bird watching and the Merlin app, which I’m much more successful at (I spotted 4! American Goldfinches this morning), but my failure to develop a green thumb still sticks in my craw.

In any event, Kramer Levin is the latest firm to give associates and staffers a little token of appreciation. We’ve seen hats, an RV visit, take out, and stress balls so far. And Kramer Levin has decided to gift plants, which, for fellow brown thumbs like me, is basically a guilt trip waiting to happen as you slowly watch the flora die.

But, the thing is, associates at the firm are already salty about the hours requirement linked to their special bonuses. And, well, plants aren’t going to change that.

But listen, don’t take my word for it. Let’s check in with some tipsters at the firm.

After special bonuses tied strictly to client billable hours which was a higher requirement than customary yearly threshold, Kramer Levin shows “appreciation” by sending everyone a plant.

 

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LOL Kramer levin giving associates plants for “staff appreciation day” what an absolute joke. The firm is consistently out of touch with its associate base and is increasingly off market in its comp structure

Folks sure don’t seem pleased.

I get that the gesture was well intentioned, but when associates feel like they’re getting the shaft on bonuses, these gestures will continue to frustrate.

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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