With offices in the Middle East to complement three in the UK, law firm Trowers & Hamlins is still careful to focus on things close to home by keeping its staff happy and offering the local community a helping hand.

The company provides public and private sector clients with commercial, corporate and business legal services. And staff are given the works too — with almost half earning more than £35,000, it is no surprise they give their highest ranked factor score (23rd out of the 100 Best Companies) when asked if they receive a fair deal.

Staff are happy with their pay and benefits, giving a 73% positive score. Performance-related pay tops up their salaries, and employees can also enjoy life assurance, free private healthcare and childcare vouchers.

They are encouraged to use their full holiday entitlement each year (26 days, increasing to 31 for managers and supervisors) and a number of flexible working options, including part-time, job sharing and staggered hours, are on offer.

Related Internet Links

• Company website

• Trowers & Hamlins's entry in 2007

• Trowers & Hamlins' entry in 2006

Turning up the Heat pays off

Strong training and a sense that work is to be enjoyed add up to Heat powering past its rivals into top spot this year

BACKGROUND

• Hats off to great leadership

• Getting the message across loud and clear

• Fly high with the X Factor

• Why it pays to know what you’re doing

BACKGROUND

• Charity wins top small company award

• Special awards for best practice

• Rules of engagement

• 100 Best SME's to work for 2008

Multimedia

• Highlights from the awards ceremony

High pressure and long hours are part of the culture at some law firms, but Trowers & Hamlins makes an effort to encourage staff to leave the office at a reasonable hour whenever possible. People appreciate this, and say pressure at work rarely means they can’t concentrate (75%).

A training budget of £130,000 a year means that employees have the opportunity to study for job-related qualifications, including those in HR, marketing and secretarial skills. An annual appraisal and a personal development plan put the emphasis on career development. Staff think their job is good for their personal growth (77%).

Teamwork is encouraged during annual departmental awaydays, but staff could feel more engaged with their colleagues. A factor score of 72% ranks Trowers & Hamlins 96th. They say they don’t feel a strong sense of family in their teams (66%, ranking 98th for this question).

But loyalty is high among employees — 210 out of 540 people have worked for Trowers & Hamlins for five years or more. They feel inspired (71%) by the leadership of senior partner Jonathan Adlington, who has been with the company for 36 years, and has been in his current role for the past seven.

Adlington hosts regular drinks evenings to celebrate the completion of work, and also makes an effort to meet a cross-section of people, including support staff, over lunch. Staff have a great deal of faith in him (76%) and say senior managers truly live the values of the firm (70%).

Since 2004, the company has participated in East Potential’s Routes To Work scheme by offering two-week work placements to residents of east London, giving them a chance to experience a busy office environment. The company has given permanent jobs to 17 people who arrived on these work placements since becoming involved in the scheme.

Staff give a top 15 positive score of 71% when asked if the company gives enough back to the local community.

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