Staff at Berwin Leighton Paisner do not need a weekend away in a hotel to enjoy the benefits of a concierge service. This London law firm employs a company with its own desk in the office, helping its 1,180 employees with time-consuming tasks from sorting out dry cleaning or shoe repairs to booking tickets. It explains: “The legal sector is a busy one and, in recognition of this, we offer ‘time' as far as we can.” Most people have 25 days of annual leave, but they can buy extra. There is an additional day or two at Christmas and people celebrating a birthday can start late or leave early. People say they don't feel under too much pressure to concentrate, with a 72% positive score or under too much pressure to perform well (71%). The firm wins our special award for Wellbeing. The legal practice's employees vote it 30th for the Fair Deal they get overall (66%). Lawyers typically earn just over £87,000 a year, with profit and performance-related pay. Staff say that this is fair compared with similar jobs in other firms (65%), and for their responsibilities (67%). New mothers have 13 weeks at full pay, 13 on 90%, another 13 on the government minimum and the rest unpaid. Paternity leave is two weeks on full pay. There are flexible ways to work and a number of lawyers even do their jobs from abroad. The practice has an in-house nurse, who organises regular promotions such as a men's health drive and mole clinic. There's an employee assistance programme, which gives advice on health issues, while everyone under 50 gets a health screening every two years, and those over 50 are entitled to one each year. Flu jabs and travel vaccinations are available at work, while the company's private medical insurer offers points for healthy activities which can earn cash awards. Employees say that the training is of great personal benefit (68%) and there are no limits to how much they can learn and grow (65%). The experience in the job is valuable for the future (77%), and they are excited about where the company is going (74%).
