b"Local Government Lawyer 21working in local government, two factorsShared Services: Try ityou might like it! single authority teams, especially in relation stand outflexibility/work-life balance andto both the variety and quality of work, job the quality and variety of work provided,In this years survey, shared services legalsecurity and client relationships. In fact, which were mentioned by a little overdepartments continue to be a turn-off for aof those working in shared services, only (54%) and a little under (44%) one-half ofsignificant proportion of local governmentone aspectmanageability of workloadrespondents respectively. lawyers, 35% of whom say that they wouldgets more negative than positive ratings. The work/life balance is generally betterbe less likely to apply for a vacancy in aAmongst other lawyers, six do.than any other legal sector, one lawyer toldshared legal service, compared with justSome other differences emerge between the survey. The quality of work, particularly10% who would be more likely to apply.the two groups. Those in shared services for junior lawyers, is far beyond what anyThe remainder said that it would make nowere slightly less likely to describe their other sector can offer. difference to their decision. department as a trusted adviser (68% Strong secondary reasons for workingAlthough shared legal services havecompared to 72%) and more likely to say in local government are the public servicebecome a more established form ofthat their clients considered them to be a aspect of the role and the culture andin-house legal provision since the lastremote service department (17% v 10%). time this survey was conducted in 2015However, fewer people in shared services Figure 4: How do you think the legalthe proportion of lawyers that would be(10%) thought that they were a roadblock department is generally regarded by yourdeterred from applying for a job with themto change and innovation than those in authority (or authorities)? has actually gone up by 6% since then. single authority teams (15%). Those in However, there is a stark difference inshared services are also more likely to want Trusted adviser 73% theseand otherfigures between thosepromotion than other lawyers and more who currently work in a shared legal servicelikely to want to be specialists (64% v 58%) A roadblock to change14% and those who dont. For example, thoserather than generalists. I enjoy being in a and innovaon who already work in a shared servicesspecialist team in a shared legal service- it A remote service dept 13% environment (approximately one-quarter ofis preferable to my previous experience in a respondents) are actually more likely to besmall district, said one.attracted by a job in a shared service thanPerhaps most importantly, there was collegiality of their teams, mentioned byrepelled by it. no discernible difference in the answers approximately one-fifth of lawyers who tookTwenty-five per cent of this cohort saidbetween shared and non-shared service part in the survey.that they would be more likely to apply foremployees when asked if they would I like knowing that I am working for thea job in a shared service compared withrecommend their department as a place public, said one respondent. We work on22% who said they would be less likely to.to work. So, it seems, to a large extent the a huge range of projects that serve manyBy contrast, only 4% of those not currentlyapparent unpopularity of shared services different people, and it is great to know thatworking in a shared legal team would beamongst lawyers is more a matter of I have a small part in it. I used to work in themore likely to apply to one, while 40% wouldperception than reality.private sector and the change from workingbe put off.for profit only, to working for the good ofWe also asked respondents to rate how everyone, is one of the best parts of myworking in a shared services would affect work. some of the key aspects of their working By contrast, the list of pet hates aboutlives (FIG 5). Those already working in working in local government is more diverse,shared services were much more likely to be although the lack of funding experiencedpositive about the experience than those in by local government in recent years is a common theme. Given the pay freezeFigure 5: What effect would (or does) being employed in a shared services department have over the past decade, pay is unsurprisinglyon the following aspects of your working life and career?an issue (mentioned by 26%), but thePosive Neutral Negave Don't knowbiggest single complaint relates to a lack ofVariety of work 43% 26% 10% 21%resources and support to enable lawyers toCareer development opportunies 38% 27% 14% 22%do their jobs to the best of their ability. Quality of work 32% 37% 10% 21%Training opportunies 32% 36% 8% 23%Support staff are now extremely thin onSupport and facilies 28% 32% 13% 27%the ground which makes life very stressfulManageability of workow 18% 29% 27% 26%Relaonship with clients/authories 18% 27% 32% 23%and work inefficient and everything thatJob security 17% 34% 26% 22%hasnt already actually fallen apart feels asCulture and collegiality 16% 33% 22% 29%though it is just about to, said one lawyer. Pay and condions 13% 49% 17% 21%Locaon of oce 10% 30% 30% 30%"