The legal profession has long had the reputation for being a work hard, play little profession. Too often leisure time is taken up by long hours, difficult cases and extra-curricular learning.
As the whole country still recovers from the fallout of COVID-19, there is a greater emphasis on personal development and wellbeing. The mental health of lawyers is something that firms need to address if they want to retain the best employees.
Large prestigious legal corporations (Legal 100 and Silver Circle firms) are leading the way in this respect. Almost all of them offer:
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Income Protection
- Pension contributions
- Employee assistance programmes
- Critical Illness cover
- Dental Insurance
- Plus other luxurious perks and benefits.
Having these extra benefits shows that you are a firm that goes that extra mile for your employees. In this competitive industry, it’s a must.
If you’d like FREE quotes & advice on how to develop your employee benefits strategy, call one of our experienced brokers today on +44 (0)1273 974419 or fill in the form on the right.
5 UK law firms leading the way with employee benefits
We have handpicked five UK based law firms who we believe are providing excellent support for their employees, setting the standard for other firms in how to develop their wellbeing strategies.
Let’s see who they are and what they’re offering.
1. Stephens Scown
Stephens Scown, based in Devon, Cornwall, and London, is a law firm with hundreds of employees specialising in rural, food & drink, tourism, mining and renewable energy. For 7 consecutive years, Stephens Scown has been on ‘The 100 Best Companies to Work For’ list. They aim to establish a work environment where their employees feel respected, trusted, and valued.
This ranking can only be achieved through a comprehensive employee benefits scheme:
- Private Medical Insurance
- Group Life Assurance
- Auto-enrolment Pension Scheme
- Shared-ownership Bonus Scheme
- Performance-related Bonus Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity pay
- Mentoring programme
- 25 days holiday – rising to 30 days for partners & directors
- 1-day extra birthday holiday
- Flexible Working
- Free annual flu vaccinations
- Reduced fees for legal services
- Funding for qualifications
- Study Leave
- 3 days volunteering leave each year
- Social – end-of-month drinks / art club / choir etc
- Employees have an equal share in profits under the scheme ‘Scownership’
2. Girlings Solicitors
Girlings Solicitors is a Kent-based law firm (since 1881) specialising in commercial, family, and individual clients with over 70 employees. With employee personal development high on their agenda, Girlings offers a range of employee benefits:
- Private Medical Scheme
- Pension Scheme
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Perkbox Benefits and Reward Scheme
- Staff forum
- 20-30 days holiday plus paid bank holidays
- Additional holiday at Christmas
- Social Activities
- Childcare vouchers
- Long Service Awards
- Eye Care vouchers
- Parking permits
- Corporate Social Responsibility Activities e.g., Macmillan Coffee Morning, Wear it Pink)
Do these ideas appeal to you, but struggling to see how they could fit together to suit your firm? Get in touch with the team at Engage, where we take the stress out of employee benefits. Call +44 (0)1273 974419.
3. DMH Stallard LLP
DMH Stallard LLP is a South-east based law firm established in only 1970. The secret to their success starts at the core, with their employee benefits:
- Private Healthcare
- Life Assurance
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- 25 days paid holiday
- Extra day off for birthday
- Interest-Free Season ticket loans
- Childcare vouchers
- Discounts on Legal Work
- Dress Down Fridays
DMH also places a huge emphasis on career development in their firm. Created in 2015, the Annual Review of Objective Meeting encourages the review of performance, learning and development needs.
4. Coffin Mew
The Southern and Thames Valley-based Coffin Mew promotes a transparent and inclusive culture for their hundreds of employees, ensuring that all staff are kept up to date with the law firm’s vision, values, and strategic plans.
Their employee benefits include:
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Assurance
- Pension contribution – increases with length of service
- Company Sick Pay above the statutory
- Maternity & Paternity Pay
- Holiday for birthdays & a holiday buy and sell scheme
- Flexible working – including a phased return to work
5. Brachers
Brachers is an award-winning law firm based in Kent, with 167 employees and an ethos of family amongst their employees. Brachers encourage their staff to think creatively and innovatively, ensuring an emphasis on employee respect and value. Employees choose a charity every two years offering an opportunity to get involved in organising fundraisers and events – bringing employees and the community together.
Brachers also offer employee benefits to their lawyers:
- Private Medical Insurance
- Pension contribution
- Life Assurance
- Group Income Protection
- Competitive Salary
- Up to 26 days paid holiday
- Staff Discounts
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme
Choosing the right employee benefits for your firm can be confusing and difficult. But these 5 individual law firms show that it is possible!
Are you looking to find the best employee benefits solutions that targets all your employees’ wellbeing needs? The team at Engage will help navigate you through all the policies, products and platforms. Use the chat feature in the bottom right for any questions or call +44 (0)1273 974419.
Why it is important for law firms to provide top employee benefits for their staff?
Having a developed and well-thought-out employee benefits scheme at your law firm is rewarding for both employer and employee. Employee benefits create a positive work culture, where staff feel valued by the firm they work for and, in turn, will work harder for a company that makes them feel like an important part of the team. This also means a higher level of retention, recruitment, productivity, engagement, and risk management. A win-win for everyone, with health and wellbeing as a top priority.
Related reading and key findings: Morneau Shepell; Mental Health Index
The tricky part is knowing what is the best fit for you, even before approaching the complexities of how employee benefits is implemented in your workforce! Contact us through Engage Health Group for our free no-obligation advice and support and discover what can be offered to employees to support their wellbeing.
