DWF is making an unknown number of PAs and business services staff redundant across its business.
As spokesman confirmed that, "As a part of our ongoing strategic review", it has begun a consultation process "with colleagues in admin and secretarial roles in England and Scotland". But he would not clarify how many roles would be axed.
The redundancy consultation is underway despite the firm recently releasing positive financial results. DWF posted a 10.9% increase in group revenue from £268.1m to £297.2m for the financial year ending 30 April 2020. In its market report, the firm trumpeted the growth notwithstanding the "significant Q4 COVID-19 impact."
Reading between the lines, it had a less cheery tone. "Further measures" are needed "post year-end to rationalise underperforming units", stated DWF, which looks very much like to be management-speak for 'redundancies'.
"You're fired rationalised."
CEO Sir Nigel Knowles, who took over from the ousted Andrew Leaitherland, also hinted in the market update about DWF wielding the axe, saying the firm had "focused on consolidating our existing operations to increase profitability, delivering cost efficiencies and improving lock-up and cash generation". Which could be interpreted as the firm reducing costs to boost its share price. It's one reason law firms are nervous to float, knowing they will have to battle with the competing demands of expectant shareholders, and staff who need money, motivation...and a job.
Other firms have also started slashing jobs during the pandemic, including Irwin Mitchell, Reed Smith, Dorsey & Whitney, Brethertons and Fladgate. With the government's furlough scheme finishing at the end of October, others may well follow suit.
Comments
1051
1043
My old PA (from when I worked at a firm that was swallowed by DWF) was let go recently, after about 20 years of combined service :(
1010
1016
It's inevitable, but still so sad.
1019
1057
Glad their priorities are right 🙄
https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/dwf-partners-rake-in-4m-from-first-share-sales
1069
1042
All they are doing is reversing the rapid expansion by Leaitherland to achieve cost savings.
One positive that has come from this is the butt kissers that worshipped Andrew for promotions now have to start earning their keep while aware that they are associated with the "old regime" that got themselves into this position.
1107
992
Never work for a law firm plc. Your boss is a mercurial psychopath https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Corporation_(2003_film)
1131
1018
The redundancies are one thing but the huge pay cuts being imposed upon the staff are another. Quite unnecessary and unfair As workloads remain the same. The partners are often worth millions and the staff are taking pay cuts in order to maintain the inflated lifestyles of Partners’ wives and husbands. Come on DWF, you are better than this.
1062
1027
Working practices at DWF have become worse and worse. Thier mantra of "we put our people first" is a joke. I hope all the partners and legal big wigs will enjoy learning to type and the people being axed get a much better future due to the changes.🙏
1101
1046
Just to clarify, there haven't been any pay cuts at DWF.
1104
1017
Cutting legal support will force fee earners to do more admin tasks.
The admin tasks are not chargeable to a third party and the SLA with the clients shall state the insurer will not pay for admin tasks. This can only lead to write offs or staff being asked to work extra hours for free to hit their targets.
Also the fee earners towards the more senior end will not want to do the admin tasks and just push this onto already stressed paralegals.
Outsourcing it to an internal admin hub also won't work as it will need admin people to learn all the styles and SLAs which isn't possible. Trying to charge the admin centre to a file also won't work as it will have to be written off again because clients will refuse to pay for it. If charging a client 100-200 an hour they expect admin built into the overhead margins with a reasonable amount of legal support for fee earners.
If Clydes, BLM, DACB, Kennedys and Keoghs have sense they will start to asset strip DWF's teams with talent.
1001
990
@13:10 - wrong. Low performers have had cuts forced on them. They are silently accepting it because they don't want to broadcast it.
996
1036
Our institute has sent application for a project proposal on covid, 19 , will this be affected by the problem inDWF?
1057
992
To the person saying there hasn't been pay cuts at DWF what bullshit. Staff are being asked to take unpaid leave or reduce hours. Also it's not been uniformly applied so it is grossly unfair to the staff that some are affected and others arent. DwF failed to furlough anyone and now cannot take advantage of the scheme
1021
1019
Don’t be a low performer don’t get a pay cut simples cha
1058
1038
You are wrong 13.10.
Pay cuts are taking place. They are to bring DWF salaries in line with the others (lowest) in the market place. This is happening. It is a shame as it removes the DWF premium which was a motivator. It will increase mobility as we can now move without having to accept lower salaries which didn’t used to happen. It is also short term-ism as dividends are needed to pay the partners who accepted dividends in place of cash. Risky move and the staff are now paying for it.
1021
1020
DWF and talent. Don’t often see those words in a sentence together. Well done. Not sure Keoghs is ever a destination of choice though. Good at low value motor from their motorway junction offices in the North, but they are hardly a premium outfit are they
1004
1029
@Shooty well, my firm made redundant a very small number of admin people, including someone with over 40 years of service. Yes, four-zero.
Pass the sick bag.
985
1034
Ordinary people suffering so the Shareholders can benefit - that’s the plc model I’m afraid. Less people, less money = bigger dividends and a higher share price. Choose your next move very carefully.
1025
997
15:21 - you will need to choose your move carefully as you don't know the difference between less and fewer.
1022
987
I see the rogues gallery that got pushed out of DLAP has finally solidified their powerhold over DWF. For the love of God DWF staffers, get out while you still can!
1021
1026
Remember how DLA Piper treated people in 2008/9?
They are now senior at DWF in 2020.
1028
1048
Not surprised everyone involved in DWF were expecting this people having to reapply for their jobs etc not nice!
968
1057
Dwfer you are wrong.
1099
982
Same at Ince. Hard to take especially after their very profitable annual report and caning the government scheme with no top up on salary. Very poor show.
1036
1006
To Anonymous at 13.12. FYI BLM are also in a redundancy consultation until middle of October 😡😡
1044
1016
No top up! I am furloughed by Plexus and they have been in contact every week, very supportive AND have topped up my (and everyone else) salary by 20% since April. That’s how you buy loyalty. How can Ince not top when they make loads money more than Plexus? Shameful.
1040
1003
Horwich Farrelly will be watching with intent from the sidelines..
1000
1008
DWF want to get rid of experienced PAs on old contracts and replace with 'junior admin staff' on minimum wage to do the same job - well good luck DWF... lets see how that goes.
1065
1013
Dwf have always wanted to get rid of experienced PAs on old contracts and replace with junior admin staff to do the same job... well good luck DWF - lets see how that goes
1039
969
Why on earth would anyone ever want to work for a listed law firm?
1025
981
Retention and recruitment will be an issue for DWF and the other listed shops in the future. Who on earth would want to join any of them?
1118
1002
DWF wanted to replace PA’s with admins a long time ago hence why the PA’s had to time record. They wanted to prove that PA’s were doing more admin work so they could get admin staff in who were cheaper! As for pay cuts they haven’t even given pay rises and then email everyone regarding how they are going to start giving out bonuses! DWF are looking at getting rid of 36 PA’s and 24 admin staff. Never should have floated on the stock market and they should have furloughed staff. As for putting their people first - never have!
1030
1000
I am on furlough from Plexus too. I’ve been topped up and have received my full salary every pay day so far since furlough started. I also know that my boss/Partner is on a pay cut to help pay for the top up to my salary. I too feel very loyal in return. Suspect some tough decisions might be down the road but I can fault the firm’s efforts to support me and others and I know we aren’t be shafted or sacrificed to keep Partner profits up - quite the opposite in fact.
1059
1006
The comment about replacing experienced PAs with more junior admin staff rings true. It is this sort of short sighted approach that contributed to my decision to leave. DWF think commercial law can be practiced in the same way they run their insurance practice; maybe they are right, but it won't be very fulfilling.
1076
982
Despite good financial results, Dwf have recently reduced the DPU typists by half and now PA and admin staff - 'they care for their staff' - thats got to be a joke!
1012
1018
This has nothing to do with DWF's float. LLPs were making these sorts of decisions long before they were permitted to float. Think back to 2008-2012.
1031
992
These decisions have nothing to do with DWF floating. Firms of all shapes and structures are making their support teams redundant. It's not that they're more heartless or incompetent than the likes of BLM (an LLP) who, at least prortionately, have been far more aggressive here.
1033
1001
I can never take seriously or remember a law firm with its name as just initials
Remind me who "DWF " are again?
1024
1029
Forster - DLA, RPC, TLT, etc
Your comment is shanter.
1006
1010
A mate said loads up for chop at BLM. Is this true?
1058
935
Yep
1053
1008
Yes, support staff at BLM are going through a consultation.
1033
1018
Yes, support staff at BLM are going through a consultation.
1047
966
rollonfriday seems to be the only place where the truth about DWF is being told.. the marketing team @ DWF has been rather busy in the past few weeks. I gave notice and found a better job, however, I knew my practice group would have problems in the upcoming months, so I kinda left on my own terms before they would ask me to leave. don't know whether it is just my office (I do not live in the UK) and its problems, but many people are giving notice and started looking for new jobs @ my former shop. retention is pretty low and the recently hired people (during good ol' pre-covid-Andrew-times) are considering leaving
1016
1038
Well no surprises here! I worked for this shower in the 90s. I lasted about 10 months. They used to get rid of anyone whose face didn't fit and secretarial staff would be called to HR on a Friday and never be seen again.
Total disregard for people. Its all about bills bills bills!
1025
984
DWF’s partner shareholders want to receive their dividends but pre-float it was all about the number of marbles. Each marble gained represented a greater share of the distributable profits.
There are more investors now and DWF has to keep its internal and external investors happy.
Maybe the partners pre-float would have been less likely to cull loyal staff because it’s hard to shove people onto the dole queue. The external investors won’t care about any of that and will be baying for dividends and an improved share price.
Maybe Leitherland wasn’t prepared to do all the things now being done......
1038
989
Yes it is true but the way the powers that be are dealing with it is atrocious. This may get a little messy/take a while...
1039
965
A lot of people are looking to get out.
The pressure on fee earners to cross sell on connected services and central service products is ridiculous. The focus is on retaining all costs in-house and flogging bolt-ons to clients.
It's all commoditised law. There is little difference between DWF and the likes of DACB, Clydes, Kennedys, BLM, etc.
1019
973
These posts are comical. The quicker you all realise it’s all about money the easier you will sleep at night. Just roll with cha
1022
1032
15.25.
Totally agree.
There's no such thing as loyalty in this industry, or indeed in any industry for that matter.
Earn as much as you can, as quickly as you can, and get out.
1030
1068
@Chizzy - it's all about money everywhere, that's what Big Law is about, but boooi, I've been there, there is basically no work from office policy @ my former shop (to reduce costs), people are leaving in waves, some employees have been let go, I've seen how the firm reacted to its problems in e-mails being sent out to fee earners, and IMO this ship is sinking slowly, maybe some offices are sinking faster than the others, but still - it is a fact