Employees Vote Dechert a Great Place to Work

Research has shown that people work better and are more productive when they enjoy their job. Recently, 93% of respondents at Dechert LLP agreed that the global law firm is a great place to work according to a poll conducted by greatplacetowork.com (GPTW). When asked whether they agreed that “Taking everything into account, I would say this is a great place to work,” 93% of respondents agreed that Dechert is a great place to work.

What makes Dechert such a great workplace? “At Dechert, developing new ideas and better ways of doing things are the lifeblood of the firm,” says a spokesperson. Dechert also earned a spot on three prestigious lists, proving the law firm fosters a healthy and happy work environment. It was one of the Great Place To Work’s Best Workplaces for Parents in 2020 and made the website’s list of Best Workplaces Consulting & Professional Services in 2020 and 2021. Dechert, which has offices across the United States and around the world, also made Fortune’s list of Best Workplaces in New York in 2020 and 2021.

Dechert Encourages Employee Feedback

The firm listens to employees as a way to stay open and transparent. “Dechert took this open approach in planning what the future of work will look like and invited people at all levels to weigh in,” says the spokesperson.

The result is Dechert’s Engaged and Empowered flexible hybrid working model. The spokesperson explains: “The Engaged and Empowered model is the future of work at Dechert, our path forward collectively working together. The model helps us build an environment where our people are trusted with the flexibility to choose their working location, balancing the proven ability to deliver exceptional client service from anywhere while also reaping the benefits of being together, such as mentorship, knowledge-sharing, building new relationships, and strengthening our shared sense of community.”

According to one GPTW survey participant, “I think the firm did an excellent job at keeping employees informed about management decisions related to the pandemic and asking for feedback to get the firm up and running during this past year and back to normal in the fall.”

To make the Dechert workplace more welcoming and inclusive, the firm strives to deepen its understanding of racism, anti-racist practices, and allyship. Dechert holds regular firmwide Stand Against Racism speaker events where experts explore timely topics. One employee noted on the GPTW survey, “A huge perk of working here is getting to listen and participate in the speaker series, with a wide range of speakers on topics like race, BLM and LGBTQ+ issues.”

During the Pandemic, Dechert Maintained Transparency

In communicating to employees, whether about Dechert’s response to the pandemic, commitment to giving back, or long-term growth plan, the firm reinforces what the strategy means in personal, practical terms, including how its success provides an opportunity for all employees. “It’s great to see the willingness of senior management to be transparent, not only about significant developments around the firm but also the firm’s finances,” says Mari Rose, the office manager of Dechert’s Boston office. “That transparency is something my peers at other private companies don’t always get, but it is part of the culture here at Dechert. I’m proud to be part of a firm that communicates so openly.”

According to the spokesperson, “The extraordinary last year has given us an opportunity to ask ourselves anew what our strategy and philosophy for ensuring a successful business should be. We have come through the experience with an unwavering commitment to putting people first. Guided by compassion and coupled with our open and transparent approach to communicating throughout the firm, Dechert is ready for whatever we face next.”

Incubating New Ideas

Dechert has turned employee questions and suggestions into concrete steps to improve life at the firm, using a modern version of the suggestion box. “Employees do not need to put themselves in the spotlight to offer an idea,” says the spokesperson. Any employee can anonymously submit ideas to make Dechert a better place. The submissions are handled through a third-party vendor, and then shared with the firm’s senior leaders to ensure confidentiality.

Adapting Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dechert has sought feedback and input from employees about how best to return to business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm conducted a Future of Work survey, which more than 70% of employees completed. “Employees responded to a range of questions on their remote working experience, the support they have received, and how often they would want to work from the office in the future,” explains the spokesperson. “The plan, called Engaged and Empowered, which was developed and guided by employee feedback, balances in-person and virtual working in a way that engages and empowers our community to better support our clients and meet the professional and personal needs of our people. Through each step, employee engagement has been crucial.”

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes