In the sinking economy few employees are safe – attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and other legal employees have all been casualties of industry-wide job cuts and downsizing. Below are a few red flags that signal pending layoffs within your law firm or company.
1. Hiring Freezes
If your firm stops recruiting, shrinks or eliminates its summer associate program, delays starting dates of employees to whom an offer was already extended or rescinds job offers, you can be certain that trouble is on the horizon. It 's time to polish your resume and begin considering job alternatives.2. Layoff Rumors
Yes, the rumor mill churns out vast amounts of misinformation. However, in a recent survey of layoff victims by The Daily Grind, nearly every worker interviewed got wind of restructuring and layoffs before any official announcement. So tap into your firm's grapevine and listen to the rumors that circulate. You may see the writing on the wall before the ax falls.
3. Shifting Workloads
The restructuring of departments or practice groups, shifting of workloads or realignment of legal teams and personnel may signal pending job cuts. Moreover, requests to cross-train other employees on your responsibilities or technology could indicate that your job is in jeopardy.4. Corporate Consultants
If your organization has retained outside consultants or efficiency experts to help streamline processes, increase efficiencies or redefine the firm's strategic direction, its employees may face an uncertain future. While consultants can help an ailing firm get back on its feet, any restructuring efforts may lead to downsizing and job cuts.5. External Smoke Signals
Look around at other firms in your community and those with similar clients and practice areas. If your competitors are slashing staff or experiencing financial woes, there is a good chance your firm may be in trouble as well.6. Elimination of Perks and Programs
Slashing perks such as the annual Christmas party, the company picnic, box seats to sporting events, country club memberships and other luxuries may indicate trouble on the horizon. Likewise, the restructuring of benefit plans, company car policies, expense reimbursement programs and other policies is a key tip-off to financial problems within the company.7. Closed Door Meetings
Beware of frequent closed door meetings of partners, executives and key personnel. These meetings could signal deliberations about the firm’s future. Moreover, a sudden decrease in face-to-face interactions with partners or management or evasive responses to questions about finances or layoffs are other red flags.8. Corporate Cost-Cutting
A push to conceive and implement cost-cutting measures is another layoff red flag. If employees are asked to come up cost-cutting suggestions, demonstrate ways they can contribute to the bottom line or document their job duties, the firm may be considering staff reductions. Similarly, reductions in training budgets, expense accounts, travel budgets and other expenses are a foreboding sign. A pervasive focus on the bottom line is a sure warning that job cuts are on the horizon.
