BLM is making dozens of secretaries redundant.
The insurance and fraud specialist intends to make 50 secretarial support staff nationwide redundant, RollOnFriday understands. Mike Brown, BLM's Senior Partner, told RollOnFriday the firm was offering voluntary redundancy across all its offices “in line with our business improvement programme". He blamed improved technology and agile working, saying, "We have made a significant investment in developing technology at our firm and many of our lawyers are now working in an agile way which has an impact upon the demand for traditional direct support".
Modern working methods are shrinking secretarial workforces across the profession, but insiders have complained that BLM's approach is hamfisted. They said the firm was offering statutory redundancy to volunteers rather than enhanced packages, calling it an "absolutely shocking and disgraceful" way to treat staff.
BLM staff have been through the wringer. They endured mass redundancies in 2016, and then more (extending to salaried partners) in February 2017, following which half of BLM's Southampton office partners resigned en masse. BLM scored 31% in the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2017 survey, when insiders claimed that, during roadshow visits to offices, BLM management presciently admitted they "may have 'forgotten they employed humans' they were so focused on bringing the firm into the 'now'".
Tip Off ROF
The insurance and fraud specialist intends to make 50 secretarial support staff nationwide redundant, RollOnFriday understands. Mike Brown, BLM's Senior Partner, told RollOnFriday the firm was offering voluntary redundancy across all its offices “in line with our business improvement programme". He blamed improved technology and agile working, saying, "We have made a significant investment in developing technology at our firm and many of our lawyers are now working in an agile way which has an impact upon the demand for traditional direct support".
Modern working methods are shrinking secretarial workforces across the profession, but insiders have complained that BLM's approach is hamfisted. They said the firm was offering statutory redundancy to volunteers rather than enhanced packages, calling it an "absolutely shocking and disgraceful" way to treat staff.
The beauty of agile working was that he didn't have to look into Julia's eyes when he made her redundant because of agile working. |
BLM staff have been through the wringer. They endured mass redundancies in 2016, and then more (extending to salaried partners) in February 2017, following which half of BLM's Southampton office partners resigned en masse. BLM scored 31% in the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2017 survey, when insiders claimed that, during roadshow visits to offices, BLM management presciently admitted they "may have 'forgotten they employed humans' they were so focused on bringing the firm into the 'now'".
Comments
716
782
740
753
743
766
728
797
705
832
731
768
720
778
Any half decent lawyers left will be courted by other firms like vultures picking off scraps from the bones of BLM.
716
813
700
783
714
777
765
722
799
732
757
799
They think they can complete with the big firms, hence the move to new offices nearer Lloyds but it is rather like a failing school on special measures introducing new blazers as part of the uniform in an attempt to create a polished impression.
Time to get out quick....
738
795
695
775
715
770
759
783
My advise to people would be to look else where, you will be so much better off, then let them struggle with their LACK of technology and inexperienced staff...BLM is going down the pan! feel sorry for the innocent people who get dragged down with it!
787
715
742
788
720
782
Absolutely no coincidence that their last offices at London Wall was the old London Asylum. Unfortunately the lunatics have escaped and moved further into the CIty.
Channel 4 should do a documentary.
757
755
714
771
742
782
717
806
Cutting support staff affects everyone. Blm expect staff to work around the clock for mediocre pay, bonuses that never happen, 25 days leave, no flexibility and no fun whilst management do not communicate and look down on staff if you dare to challenge the outdated system. Make people want to be there and management need to relax and not make the place feel like a prison. Publish the results of the survey and stop avoiding the inevitable. Be bold, accept no one is happy and change it.
699
804
729
753
As for you Mr Brown, publish those staff survey results and let's see the true picture of your firm !!! Yes a sinking ship !
723
775
It is more "hilarious" that this lone pro BLM Rof ffer inferred staff should be working not posting on the site when, at that time )(21.06) my poor friend who still works there was actually still working at 21.06 as she is swamped by work with very low charge out rates, much of which she can't charge because the deal done for that client is pathetic. The partners however left at 5.30 to enjoy their work life balance.
Why don't you listen to what is being said before you sink.
717
819
725
778
Do the partners still insist the attractive female fee earners take male clients out to clubs? Can you still get promoted if you are not good at your job but are a favourite of a partner for some personal reason?
732
810
Claimant firms offering to take pretty much everything on a CCFA.
Defendant firms accepting capped fees of hundreds of pounds for cases that need thousands.
Those agreeing these types of deals getting a pat on the back for 'bringing work in' and landing clients'. These same people go missing when there is a problem due to overworked staff making mistakes.
696
780
706
770
Thank you and good night
723
756
722
770
694
796
712
786
749
775
11/06/2017 16:16
The clients see those doing the tender pitch. These are typically supply chain or claims directors. They will fly in and fly out again for the tender. Those left picking up the pieces are often claims handlers who realise it's a race to the bottom but are too junior to effect change.
757
721
I can imagine
"Dear X
Thank you for not insulting us and for remaining loyal despite the terrible pay and conditions here.
I am delighted to inform you that you can stay.
However please have an urgent meting with your insane autocratic supervising partner as it has come to our attention you have had a sick day this month, are 2 hours behind target and could not stay until 7pm last night to help organise your supervisor's nieces party.
Grateful management
672
831
How is it the IT Dept's fault the firm making people redundant? Everyone questions IT Dept's work ethics but they are the Dept that work the hardest to keep any company going.
710
749
It's normally senior management.
719
779
I served under the BLM regime for a considerable number of years and the atmosphere was one of egos, self-importance and superiority from the senior and line management. This was combined with the delusion and belief that this was a ‘Magic Circle’ firm, but it was more Zippos Circus. Some of the partners displayed a thoroughly ‘toxic’ personality and the general attitude from them was that support staff were of a lesser caste and they were there to serve in the great BLM insurance claim machine. I heard a rumour that one support staff employee that had worked there over ‘eight’ years, had their Christmas bonus taken away because they decided to leave just before the festive break. The comment on this forum about announcing promotions to Associates and Partners on the intranet, whilst announcing redundancies is classic BLM and says it all about the operation. Lovely to see their ‘Visions and Values’ finally being recognised. It also states on their website: “we recruit to retain” and underneath that there’s also a Modern Slavery Statement on the website, but it’s difficult to find…
721
777
717
794
Hope clients read this.
729
730
759
745
709
788
726
791
Beware the drizzle makers, masquerading as rain makers, leaping between all of the above firms for 2-3 year stints.
751
765
713
769
But BLM are beyond bad. People flee BLM to go to the others as shell shocked casualties but you rarely see it the other way round.
715
766
670
754
689
727
"What is it with this place that it attracts so many toxic individuals at partner, management and mid-management level. Maybe there's something in the water? Or the 'free tea and coffee' they offer as an incentive"
A
Simple ..perfect opportunity for good money, no stress & an opportunity to exert power.
700
761
693
770
691
751
658
784
666
752
663
748
724
714
Then again depending on who you are, you can just ignore the dress down code all year round, sit down in front of HR and nothing will be said.
702
734
678
777
715
744
727
741
701
741
687
746
672
755
676
751
673
792
680
735
664
779
The comment that 'some of the most able staff' were in Leeds is nonsense. If they were any good they would have developed work into the office. They didn't.
I'm afraid these redundancies are an inevitable.
675
745
655
778
672
782
685
778
666
767
712
722
722
738
Talking of which, anyone seen Mr GA of late, or has he already gone ?
706
746
You were in there a week early. GA's "departure" announced today. Next?
702
743
677
755
729
740
The firm is an absolute joke and why is the man who is steering this sinking ship not publishing the results of the staff survey?
675
730
707
735