Recent surveys report that associate satisfaction is at its lowest rate since 2004. Are these significant statistics? The fact is that despite the headlines, associate job satisfaction is not at crisis levels. However, associate disaffection does adversely affect a law firm’s bottom line and dissatisfied associates should not simply be dismissed as “cranky” or whining. The issue of associate job satisfaction shoud be addressed by management and a law firm’s partnership, if only to improve profitability. The cure: largely candid open communications and a measure of management transparency.
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