How to Keep from Getting “Riffed”

Published September 22, 2009

The English language is marvelous in its ability to change and adapt. In recent months I’ve heard more than a few people express fear of, or commiserate over, a RIF. I was unfamiliar with the term and went to Wikipedia, where I found that the letters stand for a Reduction In Force. The really sad thing is that there are variations on this acronym, such as IRIF (involuntary reduction in force), VRIF (voluntary reduction in force), eRIF (email reduction in force), and WFR (work force reduction). According to Wikipedia the abbreviation is often pronounced like the word riff rather than spelled out. It’s sometimes used as a verb, as in “the associates at that firm were pretty heavily riffed.”

Because so many lawyers and law firm staffers have become victims of the economy, the stigma of a layoff seems to have been lifted. Though don’t tell that to the hard-driving, personality type AAA lawyer, or to the staffer who has been given just a week or two of severance. The definition of recession is when someone else is laid off; the definition of a depression is when you are laid off. In other words, when the problem comes close to home, we just might go into “panic” mode. Until then, we tend to be sanguine; it’s their problem, not mine.

How to keep from getting riffed? Here are suggestions that I believe will benefit every lawyer.

  • Take some deep breaths and assess your situation. Think through what you do for your firm piece by piece and assess how you can do it better.
  • Look at your personal expenditure numbers. What do you need to live on and to keep your law practice operating? Be open and honest with yourself. Consider where you are in the economic spectrum and think about reducing where you need to in order to keep your head above water.
  • Review your revenue numbers. Have they decreased because your clients are also in panic mode? Is there something you can do to help them by “partnering” with them or deferring a portion of your fee as long as they pay a base minimum? Or maybe you can find another creative billing alternative? If so, perhaps you can save both the relationship and the revenue.
  • After considering the pros and cons, the revenues and expenditures, and the alterations of life style as may be required, make a “to do” list. Be very specific. If others can help you achieve certain tasks (whether for a fee or as a favor) to expedite your recovery and deliverance from panic mode, ask and delegate. Be quick and effective and leave pride aside.

Getting riffed is not inevitable. There is hope if you think through your situation and reach out for help. It’s the first step to getting and retaining new clients who see the value of what you provide so that you can weather the storm and come out the stronger for it.

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Audience type: Large Law Firms