Striking the right balance between family and work has always been a guiding principle for Robert Riopelle, managing partner of Riopelle Griener Professional Corp. in Timmins.
“Not only do I have to find my own balance, but I help my employees find that balance too,” he said.
When his father became a judge, Riopelle and Kevin Griener took over his father's law firm two years after being called to the bar. His new position allowed him the flexibility to attend functions involving his children during the day.
“I was at a school, for something involving one of my children, and I noticed a child of one of my legal assistants was there, but she wasn't. I thought it wasn't right,” he said.
It was then he came up with a policy for personal time that allows employees to attend school functions or personal appointments. They can draw on a bank of hours throughout the year and if it is not used, it is paid back to the employees.
“Rarely do we have to say no,” Riopelle said.
The full-service law firm, which has a satellite office in Ottawa where Riopelle spends the majority of his time, has 10 lawyers (two in Ottawa), one articling student and a support staff of 16. Some of the staff are long-time employees, including Charlene Pontello, a legal assistant in the corporate commercial department, who has been there for 35 years.
“I used to babysit Robert, since I was hired by his father to work half a day at the firm and then babysit the other half,” she said. “You become like family and they rely on you a lot. It's very family-oriented here.”
She said the flexibility of attending her children's activities and functions throughout the years, and the ability to change her hours of work, such as starting earlier or later, have made the firm a great place to work, along with the long-established professional relationships she has made with clients.
Another employee who had been with the firm for 15 years kept her job when her husband was transferred to Sudbury.
“She was really good and asked if we would consider her working remotely from home,” Riopelle said. “All the IT challenges were worked out and it has been seamless, and clients don't even know she is not in the office.”
Office manager Elaine MacKenzie said it is important to think outside of the box to retain employees.
“Timmins isn't that big and for anyone with experience in a law firm, it's a small pool to draw from,” she said. “You need to find ways to keep the staff happy, productive, and working for you.”
Retention is a major focus and so is continuing education. Law, said Riopelle, is a matter of life-long learning but it it is also important for the rest of the staff as well.
A receptionist, who had an aptitude for computers, was asked if she would consider becoming the office's network administrator. With courses provided by the firm, she accepted the new challenge and has been in the position for several years.
“You don't really hear a lot of those stories where you see someone with talent and it is developed by investing in her,” MacKenzie said.
A child benefit is also offered to employees who have children in extracurricular activities. A lump sum is given to the employees every year to help offset the costs.
“We want them to realize that we know their families are important,” Riopelle said.
A medical benefit plan, which many law firms don't offer, has been appreciated by employees and at times, has helped the firm attract employees.
“It has always been our goal to hire people with the intention of keeping them forever,” he said. “Everyone can have issues in their personal life and we try to work at being accommodating and working through those issues that might come up.
“If we have a culture, I think it is our focus and emphasis on the importance of family. It is something that I am happy we do and I am proud of, and I think that is something the staff appreciates as well.”
