BLM is making dozens of secretaries redundant.
The insurance and fraud specialist intends to make 50 secretarial support staff nationwide redundant, RollOnFriday understands. Mike Brown, BLM's Senior Partner, told RollOnFriday the firm was offering voluntary redundancy across all its offices “in line with our business improvement programme". He blamed improved technology and agile working, saying, "We have made a significant investment in developing technology at our firm and many of our lawyers are now working in an agile way which has an impact upon the demand for traditional direct support".
Modern working methods are shrinking secretarial workforces across the profession, but insiders have complained that BLM's approach is hamfisted. They said the firm was offering statutory redundancy to volunteers rather than enhanced packages, calling it an "absolutely shocking and disgraceful" way to treat staff.
BLM staff have been through the wringer. They endured mass redundancies in 2016, and then more (extending to salaried partners) in February 2017, following which half of BLM's Southampton office partners resigned en masse. BLM scored 31% in the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2017 survey, when insiders claimed that, during roadshow visits to offices, BLM management presciently admitted they "may have 'forgotten they employed humans' they were so focused on bringing the firm into the 'now'".
Tip Off ROF
The insurance and fraud specialist intends to make 50 secretarial support staff nationwide redundant, RollOnFriday understands. Mike Brown, BLM's Senior Partner, told RollOnFriday the firm was offering voluntary redundancy across all its offices “in line with our business improvement programme". He blamed improved technology and agile working, saying, "We have made a significant investment in developing technology at our firm and many of our lawyers are now working in an agile way which has an impact upon the demand for traditional direct support".
Modern working methods are shrinking secretarial workforces across the profession, but insiders have complained that BLM's approach is hamfisted. They said the firm was offering statutory redundancy to volunteers rather than enhanced packages, calling it an "absolutely shocking and disgraceful" way to treat staff.
The beauty of agile working was that he didn't have to look into Julia's eyes when he made her redundant because of agile working. |
BLM staff have been through the wringer. They endured mass redundancies in 2016, and then more (extending to salaried partners) in February 2017, following which half of BLM's Southampton office partners resigned en masse. BLM scored 31% in the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2017 survey, when insiders claimed that, during roadshow visits to offices, BLM management presciently admitted they "may have 'forgotten they employed humans' they were so focused on bringing the firm into the 'now'".
Comments
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Any half decent lawyers left will be courted by other firms like vultures picking off scraps from the bones of BLM.
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They think they can complete with the big firms, hence the move to new offices nearer Lloyds but it is rather like a failing school on special measures introducing new blazers as part of the uniform in an attempt to create a polished impression.
Time to get out quick....
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My advise to people would be to look else where, you will be so much better off, then let them struggle with their LACK of technology and inexperienced staff...BLM is going down the pan! feel sorry for the innocent people who get dragged down with it!
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Absolutely no coincidence that their last offices at London Wall was the old London Asylum. Unfortunately the lunatics have escaped and moved further into the CIty.
Channel 4 should do a documentary.
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Cutting support staff affects everyone. Blm expect staff to work around the clock for mediocre pay, bonuses that never happen, 25 days leave, no flexibility and no fun whilst management do not communicate and look down on staff if you dare to challenge the outdated system. Make people want to be there and management need to relax and not make the place feel like a prison. Publish the results of the survey and stop avoiding the inevitable. Be bold, accept no one is happy and change it.
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As for you Mr Brown, publish those staff survey results and let's see the true picture of your firm !!! Yes a sinking ship !
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It is more "hilarious" that this lone pro BLM Rof ffer inferred staff should be working not posting on the site when, at that time )(21.06) my poor friend who still works there was actually still working at 21.06 as she is swamped by work with very low charge out rates, much of which she can't charge because the deal done for that client is pathetic. The partners however left at 5.30 to enjoy their work life balance.
Why don't you listen to what is being said before you sink.
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Do the partners still insist the attractive female fee earners take male clients out to clubs? Can you still get promoted if you are not good at your job but are a favourite of a partner for some personal reason?
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Claimant firms offering to take pretty much everything on a CCFA.
Defendant firms accepting capped fees of hundreds of pounds for cases that need thousands.
Those agreeing these types of deals getting a pat on the back for 'bringing work in' and landing clients'. These same people go missing when there is a problem due to overworked staff making mistakes.
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Thank you and good night
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11/06/2017 16:16
The clients see those doing the tender pitch. These are typically supply chain or claims directors. They will fly in and fly out again for the tender. Those left picking up the pieces are often claims handlers who realise it's a race to the bottom but are too junior to effect change.
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I can imagine
"Dear X
Thank you for not insulting us and for remaining loyal despite the terrible pay and conditions here.
I am delighted to inform you that you can stay.
However please have an urgent meting with your insane autocratic supervising partner as it has come to our attention you have had a sick day this month, are 2 hours behind target and could not stay until 7pm last night to help organise your supervisor's nieces party.
Grateful management
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How is it the IT Dept's fault the firm making people redundant? Everyone questions IT Dept's work ethics but they are the Dept that work the hardest to keep any company going.
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It's normally senior management.
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I served under the BLM regime for a considerable number of years and the atmosphere was one of egos, self-importance and superiority from the senior and line management. This was combined with the delusion and belief that this was a ‘Magic Circle’ firm, but it was more Zippos Circus. Some of the partners displayed a thoroughly ‘toxic’ personality and the general attitude from them was that support staff were of a lesser caste and they were there to serve in the great BLM insurance claim machine. I heard a rumour that one support staff employee that had worked there over ‘eight’ years, had their Christmas bonus taken away because they decided to leave just before the festive break. The comment on this forum about announcing promotions to Associates and Partners on the intranet, whilst announcing redundancies is classic BLM and says it all about the operation. Lovely to see their ‘Visions and Values’ finally being recognised. It also states on their website: “we recruit to retain” and underneath that there’s also a Modern Slavery Statement on the website, but it’s difficult to find…
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Hope clients read this.
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Beware the drizzle makers, masquerading as rain makers, leaping between all of the above firms for 2-3 year stints.
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But BLM are beyond bad. People flee BLM to go to the others as shell shocked casualties but you rarely see it the other way round.
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"What is it with this place that it attracts so many toxic individuals at partner, management and mid-management level. Maybe there's something in the water? Or the 'free tea and coffee' they offer as an incentive"
A
Simple ..perfect opportunity for good money, no stress & an opportunity to exert power.
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Then again depending on who you are, you can just ignore the dress down code all year round, sit down in front of HR and nothing will be said.
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The comment that 'some of the most able staff' were in Leeds is nonsense. If they were any good they would have developed work into the office. They didn't.
I'm afraid these redundancies are an inevitable.
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Talking of which, anyone seen Mr GA of late, or has he already gone ?
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You were in there a week early. GA's "departure" announced today. Next?
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The firm is an absolute joke and why is the man who is steering this sinking ship not publishing the results of the staff survey?
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