Law Firms
Shook Hardy Lawyers Get Extra $$ If They Walk, Cycle to Work
Posted Jul 8, 2008, 04:30 am CST
By Molly McDonough
With no end in sight to high gas prices and the ever-increasing costs of commuting, Shook, Hardy & Bacon has dangled a carrot in front of its employees to encourage them to find alternative ways to get to work.
Effective July 1, the "SHB Commuters Program" offers employees at the firm's seven offices a monthly allowance to walk, cycle, carpool or take public transportation.
“Our employees are facing decisions that affect their families, their communities and their pocketbooks. The firm is taking this additional step to help our employees meet these challenges," the firm's Chairman John Murphy said about the program in an announcement.
The incentive adds to the firm's existing $50 monthly transportation allowance. Employees who participate in the new program, which grew out of a task force on commuting issues, will get an extra $25, $30 or $45 a month, based on their level of involvement.
Hat tip The BLT.
Related Stories
- Lathrop & Gage to Open Calif. Office By Merging With Spillane Trial Boutique
Nov 21, 2008, 05:26 pm CST - Layoffs at Big Immigration Boutique; Fragomen Says Hiring to Be Curtailed
Nov 21, 2008, 04:43 pm CST - Is Law Degree a Liability for Nonlaw Job Seekers?
Nov 21, 2008, 01:05 pm CST - Will Florida’s Top-Paid County Attorney Get a Raise?
Nov 21, 2008, 10:46 am CST
Related Topics
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Comments
Posted by Mike - 4 months, 1 week, 6 days, 11 hours, 52 minutes ago
I Love it. I am sending these guys a job app with a picture of my bike.
Posted by Donna - 4 months, 1 week, 6 days, 6 hours, 48 minutes ago
Using alternative transportation adds approximately another hour each way of the trip. If you ge the maximum allowed, $45, you are being paid $1.12 an hour for a 20-business-day month. Seems a bit cheap. Why not just let them work from home 5 days a month and save the worker 10 hours of commuting?
Posted by Carolyn - 4 months, 1 week, 6 days, 6 hours, 28 minutes ago
Regardless of the economics, this is a great start. Even if the commute is on the employee’s own dime, the gain is valuable time exercising, relaxing and improving their health. I think that should be recognized versus the measly pay, which is clealy just to entice people to act in their own benefit.
Posted by Diamond Jim - 4 months, 1 week, 6 days, 4 hours, 17 minutes ago
Just what a client likes to see- a sweaty lawyer who has just ridden a bike for an hour to get to work to save a couple of bucks. Our clients prefer to employ fresh clean lawyers who drove to work in their gas guzzling Beamers.
Posted by Patricia - 4 months, 1 week, 6 days, 3 hours, 55 minutes ago
I agree with Mike and Carolyn. I appreciate businesses that encourage sustainable lifestyles. Besides, at $1.12 that would nearly pay my bus fare to work and I’d get paid for my bike ride home. As of now, I do both with no incentive but knowing my impact on our resources is decreased.
Diamond Jim, I suspect this firm has showers. Regardless, I personally don’t want a client that prefers my service b/c I am consuming extreme amounts of gas.
Posted by Jon - 4 months, 1 week, 5 days, 23 hours, 51 minutes ago
Let’s see. I live 30 miles from my office, there is no public transportation here (not even if I lived in town), so I don’t think I will walk or ride my bike. Guess I will drive my 20+ year old truck, with its blue fumes. This actually works for my clients, because rural is as rural does. Besides, it is cheaper for me to drive my old blue flumes, even at $4-$6 per gallon, than to buy a new car to replace it. I have no car payment at all, no parking fee, and don’t have to lock the thing when I get to work, either.
Posted by R - 4 months, 1 week, 3 days, 50 minutes ago
Most clients will not care whether their lawyers consume extreme amounts of gas.
EMITTING extreme amounts is another matter entirely.
Posted by Hadley V. Baxendale - 4 months, 1 week, 3 days, 17 minutes ago
On a related note, if you sold your guzzler for a Prius-type car, you have added to the pollution problem. First, someone else will buy and drive your old car. Second, manufacturing a car of any type makes an enormous amount of pollution. Third, unless your town has nuclear or hydro power, charging your batteries is polluting, perhaos worse, with the burning coal or oil. Finally, battery manufacturing and the attendant mining for components is a highly polluting process. “Think globally, but think intelligently.“