January is, for most law firms, the month with the highest attrition for administrative staff. Waiting until bonuses are paid is the often assumed reason, but some psychologists believe that an equal culprit may be holiday stress. Gift shopping, greeting cards and putting up decorations - combined with sad memories and alcohol consumption - can impact stress levels and add to job dissatisfaction, even if the stress has nothing directly to do with the job. Some law firms, where the time demands of the practice decline during the holiday season, help employees avoid stress by giving time off during the day for shopping or other personal tasks. A Chicago firm, whose corporate financial practice heats up at year end, provides special support by making a personal shopper available (through an arrangement with a local department store), and less restrictive rules on the use of after-hours cab vouchers for employees who want to stay downtown to do shopping. For those required to log in extra time during the busy season, making sure that employees know that the time has been noted goes a long way toward creating a sense of value that can relieve some of the stress.