Top law firms are re-evaluating their staffing policies by introducing more flexible working to avoid making redundancies, according to research by Sweet & Maxwell.

The legal information provider found firms are introducing more flexibility, offering sabbaticals, retraining and part-time working to their employees.

Sweet & Maxwell asked 25 top-100 law firms what measures they have implemented to cut costs while avoiding staff redundancies. According to the results, only one firm has gone ahead with pay cuts, but 36% said they are considering them. A quarter (24%) of firms have put salary freezes in place, with 60% considering this as an option.

The most common measure is to offer lawyers temporary internal secondments, with 52% of respondents saying that this is now part of their policy. The second most common measure is to offer lawyers sabbaticals, with 44% of firms promoting this option. The third most common measure is to offer to retrain lawyers in other practice areas, with 42% of firms having adopted this. Part-time working is being offered by 40% of respondents.

The research also found that 20% of firms plan to reduce headcount, while 24% will increase it, with 56% keeping headcounts the same.

Sweet & Maxwell questioned 25 top 100 firms, including two magic circle firms as part of its research.