Camerons set for 80 job cuts and sabbaticals

CMS Cameron McKenna has announced that around 80 London jobs could go as a result of a firmwide review of the business.

Up to 20 fee earners and 60 non fee earner positions in London are likely to go as a part of a redundancy consultation announced today (5 May), with the firm also set to roll out a flexible working programme in all of its offices.

Staff will be given full details of the 'Flex' scheme later today. The scheme is open to associates and support staff, with the firm hoping that all staff will sign up before the cut-off date of 29 May.

Only those giving their consent will be affected by the scheme, which will see the firm put staff on either a four-day working week at 85% pay, a four to 12-week sabbatical at 30% pay or agree to two additional weeks' leave equating to a reduction in salary of nearly 4%.

In addition the firm has launched a separate scheme for which it expects to see a smaller number of participants. This scheme offers volunteers either a six-month sabbatical at 20% pay with two 10-week expeditions with Raleigh International to developing countries; or a six-month sabbatical at 20% pay to take an executive development course with IMD Business School; or a six-month secondment in a CMS alliance firm at 50% of pay, with accommodation and living expenses covered.

Announcing the cuts in a message sent out across the firm this morning, managing partner Duncan Weston (pictured) said: "Our clients drive our business and for them our revenue is their cost. They are under increasing pressure to reduce their costs and all of our financial indicators show that this will continue into next year and beyond. We must therefore respond to our market and the uncertain environment we now face."

The latest measures come after a review of the business led by Camerons' management team, its board and its UK staff forum and follow news earlier this year that the firm is to reduce its equity partnership by 12%.

However, in contrast to firms such as Norton Rose, Camerons' flexible working scheme will not be open to partners.

In the announcement Weston added: "Unlike other firms which have offered similar solutions, our partners in the UK and business leaders in our international offices have not been asked to sign up because we expect them to be fully engaged at this time with the people and clients of our firm. In fact, we want them to be working a six-day week and no partner sabbaticals are currently being permitted."

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