Law firms are notorious for their pressure cooker environments. But having an overworked and stressed out population is not good for any firm in the long run because it can lead to high turnover. And in fact, according to the Association for Legal Professionals, 75% of new associates switch firms within their first five years.

So how can you improve work life balance and avoid unwanted attrition, while still serving clients effectively and keeping your firm running smoothly? As a Northern California firm that specializes in legal staffing, we’ve developed  some suggestions to help you:

Allow Employees to Telecommute

Between laptops, email, and videoconferencing, telecommuting is easier than ever. And offering your employees the ability to work remotely will not only let them enjoy a more flexible schedule, but it will also boost their loyalty to your firm.

Create an Alternative Work Program

Offer high performers the option of working the schedule that fits their needs. Alternative work programs can include flex time, part time, staggered work hours, and job sharing.

Create a Non-Partnership Career Track

Create a lower paid, non-partnership track for associates interested in staying in the profession, but also working a part time or more flexible schedule. Have this team be responsible for less-complex work, like document review, that you can bill at a lower hourly rate.

Improve Maternity and Paternity Leave Benefits

A new baby can significantly increase the stress and time demands for already busy legal professions. To help ease the burden, offer expanded time off for parental leave. Let fathers stagger their parental leave so they can take off a couple weeks when the baby is born and couple weeks after their wife returns to work, if she works.

Offer Childcare Options

As more women enter the legal profession, childcare has become a pressing issue. So if your law firm is large enough and you have enough parents on staff with small children, offering on-site daycare can ease worries about childcare and go a long way in helping employees strike a positive work life balance.

Encourage People to Get a Life

Encourage your attorneys and staff to participate in activities outside the firm, whether it’s in a civic organization, as a volunteer, or just taking up a hobby they enjoy.

The bottom line is that law firms that can demonstrate real success in accommodating employees need for a work life balance, while still providing rewarding career pathways, will be the true winners in the war for talent. They will out-recruit and retain their less innovative competitors.

If your firm needs some additional help with staffing, retention, or other HR-related matters, Pacific Staffing can help. As one of the top legal staffing agencies in Northern California, we understand that law firms have their own unique challenges and skill requirements and we can help you recruit, hire, and retain the people you need – from attorneys and paralegals to administrative and support staff – when you need them. Contact us today to learn more.