Linklaters has asked its staff how it can improve work/life balance in a 72 hour online debate called "The Jam".

Fee-earners and support staff were invited to participate in the online forum which ran, just like a real jam, from 5am on Tuesday until 5am this morning. Only instead of producing beautiful music and substance addictions, the firm hopes the debate will generate "good ideas and solutions" to the fundamental question that has perplexed philosophers for centuries: how to be a successful lawyer and have a social life.

Partner Fiona Hobbs said that the firm was committed to implementing ideas even if they "completely turn things on their head", so long as they are reasonable, practical and "affordable for our business". Which, given that the partners expect to earn around £1.4 million, means almost nothing.

    "I suggest gold-plated helper robo-

Linklaters set up the initiative after feedback from its staff. Like the other Magic Circle firms, except Slaughter and May, Linklaters scores absymally for work/life balance in the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year survey every year. In 2015, associates' comments included, "You literally get flogged to death and you are expected to cancel absolutely anything and everything at a moment’s notice", and "I'm pretty sure I will be walking down the aisle wearing a conference headset". However, only staff with a deathwish will have been as forthcoming when dey been jammin' since the brainstorm was not anonymous.

Hobbs said that while some people may "sneer" at the firm's attempt to use crowdsourcing to address work/life balance issues, it was genuinely hoping to identify some fresh solutions. Although finishing at 6pm every day probably won't be one of them, given that even the firm's press release emphasised that Linklaters operates in an "often challenging" environment which "does not suit everybody".
 
Tip Off ROF

Comments

Anonymous 16 October 15 12:38

"often challenging environment which does not suit everybody". Translation: "Unless you want to put your kids in boarding school from age 2 and have your spouse as a distant stranger, don't bother sending in your CV. Remind me which century we're in when you've finished with those chains would you, Mr Marley?

Anonymous 20 October 15 13:24

@anonymous user 16/10/2015 11:38 - at least they're mildly more up front than other places which pretend to be touchy feely / cool places to work but ultimately want to beast juniors. [Before anyone gets knickers twisted - Don't work there/never have/likely never will]

Anonymous 08 January 16 21:43

I worked at Linklaters for nearly 8 years and had a nervous breakdown. That is all.