Facing heavy internal resistance after suggesting that staff should return from their hometowns where many had sheltered during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (LKS) has changed course and scrapped the policy tonight, announcing it would continue working from home indefinitely.
The firm had initially announced internally in an email by managing partner V Lakshmikumaran:
We understand that few of the Attorneys, para-legal and support staff have gone to their hometown during the lockdown period.
We request all of you to return to their headquarters not later than Sept 11 2020, and start attending the office as and when required by the seniors.
Strict action will be taken against those who don’t return to their headquarters on or before the aforesaid date.
However, the 11 September date was extended to 21 September earlier this week.
We understand that the intention had been that staff should return nearer to the offices, so that the firm could decide by the end of September how and under what conditions to reopen offices.
And as of tonight, the firm made an internal announcement that the policy has been scrapped indefinitely.
The firm’s chief people officer Anirban Das commented: “L&S has decided to continue work from home for everyone until further notice.
“Litigation Lawyers are coming to office strictly on need basis.”
“Many of the attorneys had gone to their hometown and working from there amidst this pandemic. We have advised them to exercise safety and caution and consult their reporting partners before returning to the base locations.”
We had reached out to LKS for comment earlier this week, and comments on Legally India from fee-earners had also been complaining about the original policy on other stories this week.
The reversal from the firm will be welcome and reflects the policy still in place at nearly ever other firm, the majority of which have allowed staff to return to the places where their families live.
Returning to family: Important for mental health
Two senior partners from different law firms had told us recently that having sent fee-earners to their hometown had been a great advantage, not just in terms of preventing Covid-19 transmission, but also in terms of positive mental health benefits.
“A number of juniors were effectively living alone in their apartments, where they had absolutely no physical interaction with a human being, maybe for 3 or 4 months,” said one partner. “I spoke to everyone in my team, saying please go home, take precautions, basically get back and stay with your parents.”
“About one third of our lawyers are no longer in the city of their office,” said another managing partner of one of the large firms.
Comments
If you cannot cope then we will always have a low stress vacancy at the filing room...
In situations where big 4 consultancies and many other firms have announced work from home at least till 31st December such emails are being sent out. Speaks a lot about how much they really care about their teams.
Kian please dont moderate this comment.
Stop demeaning your office (although i have serious doubts u do work in lks Bangalore) and know that several people would kill for the chance to work for the senior partner that u are working for.
[This comment has been reported for moderation, noting: "I disagree with this comment. Partners and HR have been talking with all the people from time to time, and even health talks and online fun events were organized. Also, group sessions were organized by HR to understand if the people are facing any issues."
[...] There is huge nepotism and favoritism in the firm.
The HR here has also made a false comment amd the order for work from home is on case to case basis for the attorneys of SA and below level. This leverage is also based on the discretion of the partners.
Utterly sad. I am extremely happy to move out of such shitty organization.
We all will do well to remember this after the pandemic is over and avoid these law firms like the plague.
It's also highly unethical for someone to share an internal mail with LI.
Pathetic state of affairs! You pay people money because they also make you have at least triple of the returns. Don't think them as your slaves. If they need you to pay their wages, you also need them to sustain your firm. If you can survive without them; they will also survive without you! It's no longer an era where you can act as a master. Opportunities are wide open for even a half decent lawyer!
1. Nepotism - Objective is to establish the son and daughter of the head, at any cost.
2. Micromanagement - Head of the firm is involved in issues like division of office parking space. Sends mails on this topic.
3. Management constantly looking to cut salaries and bonuses. If partners establish a practice and earn good revenue, they are shifted to other low revenue generating teams so that they take home lesser amount.
4. Disrespect to senior partners - This had led to the departures of the SC/HC partner and the International Trade partner.
5. Lack of leadership shown by equity partners - They do not convey the sentiments on the ground and show a false picture to the Managing Partner that everyone is happy.
6. Management has surrounded itself with chamchas.
7. [...]
Anyways it's still one of the best firms to learn and move on to become an AOR, talking from experience.