The pandemic changed everything, including how we work. Overnight, our kitchen tables became desks, our living rooms transformed into conference rooms, and remote work went from being a luxury to a necessity. Now that the dust is settling (yes, still settling), the big question is: Is remote work here to stay? Let’s dive into the long-term effects of remote work, and what it means for your law firm, your team, and your future.
Remote Work: A Paradigm Shift
Before COVID-19, remote work was more of an exception than the rule. It was a perk, something offered to top performers or those in specific roles. Today, remote work has become an integral part of many scaling businesses. This isn’t just a temporary band-aid. It is no longer a luxury – it’s a fundamental shift in how we think about people, process, production, all which impacts profitability.
What This Means for Your Business
For law firm owners, the rise of remote work has brought some serious benefits. First off, let’s talk dollars and cents. Remote employees work 10% more each week compared to in-person employees. Several studies found that remote employees spent on average ten fewer minutes each day being unproductive, worked one more day each week, and were 47% more productive than their in-person counterparts. Let’s do some back of the napkin math here.
Cutting down on the average lifecycle of a matter, increase in client response time and overcommunication and the decrease in delegation backup. That’s money you can reinvest back into your business—whether it’s upgrading technology, enhancing employee incentive compensation based on meeting (exceeding) daily KPI’s, or bolstering your marketing efforts.
But it’s not just about cutting costs. Remote work has cracked open the talent pool wide. No longer are you limited by geography when hiring. You can tap into talent from across the country, or even globally, bringing fresh perspectives and skills into your team. Not to mention going overseas creates 24/7 working hours. You delegate work at the end of your day and wake up in the morning and the matter is 1, 2 or 10 steps closer to a WIN for the client. This is especially crucial in the legal industry, where finding (and keeping) the right fit can make or break your firm’s success.
Additionally, the time you are losing during the hiring process of finding paraprofessionals to do the non-attorney work will cost you. The increasing demand for paralegals can make it difficult to fill these roles. As of July 2024, paralegals have seen unemployment rates as low as 2%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also projects that employment for paralegals and legal assistants will grow 4% from 2022 to 2032. The BLS also estimates that there will be around 38,000 openings for paralegals and legal assistants each year over the next decade, with many of those openings being due to workers leaving the labor force or transferring to other occupations.
What Remote Work Means for Your Team
From the team’s perspective, remote work is a game changer. The biggest perk? Flexibility. For many, the ability to create a work-life balance that suits their personal needs has been a breath of fresh air. No more grueling commutes, no more rigid 9-to-5. No matter what time of day it is, your team can work when they’re most productive. This kind of flexibility isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s become a top priority for employees who are reevaluating what they want from their careers.
A team member who works in a culture that supports taking off from 11-12 pm (with proactive team planning and advance approval) for their kids school function and make it up between 8-10 pm while the kids are sleeping create a 4x ROI: for the employee, their co-workers, the attorney owner and the clients. Process and production never stop.
However, it’s not all sunshine and roses. Maintaining your company culture in a remote environment is a whole new ballgame. Working remotely can be lonely. Your team members miss out on the social interactions, collaboration and “got a minute” shouts down the proverbial hallway that naturally occur in an office. You have to be intentional about fostering a sense of connection and collaboration among your team, or risk losing the very essence of what makes your firm unique. And it is an easy fix and HIGHLY impactful with the implementation of The Daily Huddle. Please email, info@hiringandempowering.com for a copy of our tried, tested and proven agenda.
Now, let’s talk about career growth. Out of sight, out of mind can be a real problem in a remote work setup. Your team might struggle to gain the visibility they need to advance their careers. It’s up to you to ensure that remote employees have the same opportunities for development and recognition as those in the office.
The Future of Remote Work: You + VirtuStaff Philippines = Success
So, is remote work here to stay? The short answer is YES—and it’s evolving at rapid speed.. Many law firms are adopting hybrid models, blending the best of both worlds. By doing so, remote work can become flexible while still maintaining the benefits of in-person collaboration.
For remote work to be sustainable long-term, businesses must continue to adapt. This means investing in the right technology, creating strong communication channels, and fostering a culture of trust and accountability. Employees, on the other hand, need to hone new skills to thrive in this environment, such as focus management and self-discipline.
Remote work isn’t just a trend—it’s a new way of doing business. And guess what, your competition is already embracing it at a lightning speed. So to stay competitive, embracing the new age of business is a must for not only growth but survival. How can you make it work for your firm? The keys are: flexibility, communication, and a willingness to innovate.
At Hiring & Empowering Solutions, we’ve embraced this shift by launching VirtuStaff Philippines offering outsourced support that’s tailored to the unique needs of today’s remote and hybrid work environments. From client service ninjas to administrative rockstars, we connect you with top talent who can elevate your firm, no matter where they (or you!) are located.
So, are you ready to level up your firm with the power of remote work? Embrace the change, empower your team, and together, let’s create a thriving remote work environment that fuels your firm growth and keeps your team happy and engaged.
Hiring & Empowering Solutions®, LLC
Address: 7173 S Havana St #600-123, Centennial, CO 80112
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: (720) 990-9673
Email: info@hiringandempowering.com
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