61% of legal professionals would accept less money to work remotely, recent study says
Career & Practice
61% of legal professionals would accept less money to work remotely, recent study says
Return-to-office mandates are significantly affecting compensation expectations, hiring decisions and perceptions of productivity in law firms, according to a recent study from alternative legal services provider Paragon Legal. (Photo illustration by Sara Wadford/ABA Journal)
Return-to-office mandates are significantly affecting compensation expectations, hiring decisions and perceptions of productivity in law firms, according to a recent study from alternative legal services provider Paragon Legal.
Among its findings, the study shows that 61% of legal professionals would take a pay cut to work fully remote. Diving deeper, it also shows that 48% would take a pay cut of up to 10% of their salary to be fully remote.
“In-office work has real value in the right context,” according to Paragon Legal, which surveyed more than 200 legal professionals in the spring. “Intentional collaboration, relationship-building and certain high-stakes matters can benefit from being in the same room. But the data shows that legal professionals sometimes make career decisions based on how much flexibility they are offered.”
Legal professionals are making other career decisions based on where they’re able to work, according to Paragon Legal. Its study shows that 55% would turn down an attractive offer if the return-to-office requirements were too strict, while 16% have walked away from a job over these requirements in the past 12 months.
When asked whether in-office time improves the quality of their work product, only 30% of legal professionals agreed, the study shows. Slightly more—39% percent—agreed that time in the office improves productivity.
Paragon Legal also explored how return-to-office policies are playing out in firms. Its study shows that 23% of hybrid legal professionals have experienced an increase in the number of days that they are expected to work in the office. Meanwhile, 38% say their employer’s in-office policy is enforced inconsistently across teams, departments and leaders.
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