Solicitors will be bending their heads to a challenging project at Mills & Reeve: the law firm’s 717 employees have been charged with designing an eye-catching bra in aid of a breast cancer research unit.

The Bring a Bra To Work day (although not necessarily to wear) is an example of the company’s unusual sense of fun as well as its charitable spirit. People say they have fun with their teams of colleagues (earning a 77% positive score), as well as experiencing good personal growth (75%).

Mills & Reeve, which has been going since 1880, is a commercial law firm based in Cambridge and with three other sites. Despite its size, the managing partner Mark Jeffries and other senior managers visit every office weekly or fortnightly and rotate meeting venues.

As a result of staff feedback, the firm has added flexible benefits to a solid offering of a contributory pension, life assurance, employee assistance programme, a company doctor and holiday starting at 25 days a year (30 for partners). Staff members can buy five more days of holiday, change their life assurance, or add childcare vouchers, give as you earn, or opt for discounted Bupa and gym membership.

In any case, they have an extra five paid days’ holiday during the years in which they complete 10, 20 and 30 years of service.

Maternity pay is increased to six weeks at full pay, 12 at half pay, eight at the government minimum, and then 26 weeks unpaid. Paternity pay is boosted for one week at full pay and one on the government minimum.

Everyone works flexitime — one member of staff just in the evenings, and some others on reduced hours or job-sharing arrangements. A school-hours contract is also available. People have been at the company for an average of six years (Jeffries can count 27) and feel a good sense of job security (76%, and a top 50 score).

After a decade of service, employees are rewarded with a 12-week paid sabbatical, which four people are currently enjoying.

The company tries to make a positive difference to the world we live in with charity work including restoring wildlife habitats at a nature reserve, fundraising for a hospice and a youth outreach project, and offering pro bono work to a UK film festival. Other activities in aid of good causes have included a School Sports’ Day, complete with egg and spoon race, in aid of the Matthew Project, which helps people with drug problems. The managing partner was part of the fundraising team that undertook the Three Peaks Challenge, and staff say senior managers truly live the firm’s values (74%).

There is in-house training and development, and appetites for work are fuelled by canteens in three offices (not London) offering subsidised hot and cold meals. Rewards include £20 gift vouchers or a bottle of champagne, and the firm comes together for sports days, carol singing, cake sales and summer and Christmas parties.

The work is stimulating (74%), the company really helps its employees when it can (77%) and, if they had another job tomorrow, most people just would not leave Mills & Reeve (also 77%).

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