Frettens Solicitors

We are a progressive and ambitious firm and have worked hard to create an environment that is flexible, fulfilling, and fun.
Hidden mission statement
http://www.frettens.co.uk

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Everyone knows the brief at law firm Frettens: work hard and have fun. The progressive business, based in Christchurch, Dorset, and Ringwood, Hampshire, has created a working environment that is flexible, fulfilling and fun.

The firm embraces flexible working, and more than 40% of staff work non-standard hours. Many also work from home regularly. Equal opportunities, training, personal development and client service are important to Frettens, as is creating an enjoyable workplace for staff. Quarterly peer-voted awards celebrate colleagues who go the extra mile.

An employee engagement survey in 2021 highlighted gaps in what the company offers around Fair Deal, Leadership and Giving Something Back. As a result, the pay reviews last year were generous — significantly above inflation — as were annual bonuses, and many staff were promoted as their departments grew.

Frettens also stepped up its charitable efforts and staff responded by getting involved in fund-raising. Meanwhile, the firm invested in leadership training and supporting staff to gain professional qualifications.

Matthew Fretten, the managing partner, has an open-door policy and is highly visible around the office.

A social committee ensures the calendar is full. Events include a summer barbecue for staff and their families, a Chinese meal and karaoke night and a Christmas party. In addition, partners put money behind the bar for the team to have a drink after work on the first Friday of each month.

A spotlight on

Frettens Solicitors

View the latest achievements

Featured Workplace Factors

Personal Growth

85% of staff agreed

This job is good for my own personal growth

Staff have six-monthly career-progression meetings with the managing partner or operations manager. Discussions centre around Frettens' people strategy: "Tell us where you want to go and we will help you get there." The meetings are separate from annual appraisals with line managers or fee-earner review meetings and do not focus on performance.

Giving Something Back

86% of staff agreed

This organisation has a strong social conscience

Staff are given a paid volunteering day and, to support Bournemouth charity MYTIME Young Carers, many helped supervise Making Memories Days for young carers. Others took part in fund-raising events such as the Bournemouth Bay half-marathon, the MYTIME corporate championships and a dodgeball event at Bournemouth 7s Festival.

My Company

94% of staff agreed

I love working for this organisation

Matthew Fretten, the managing partner, and Lewis Barr, marketing and commercial director, run six-weekly briefings with a cross-section of staff. They communicate key aims and share financial results, client-satisfaction updates and organisation information. Participants then relay the information to their colleagues. Headline figures and key news is shared with all staff each month.

Personal Growth
%

85% of staff agreed

This job is good for my own personal growth

Staff have six-monthly career-progression meetings with the managing partner or operations manager. Discussions centre around Frettens' people strategy: "Tell us where you want to go and we will help you get there." The meetings are separate from annual appraisals with line managers or fee-earner review meetings and do not focus on performance.

Giving Something Back
%

86% of staff agreed

This organisation has a strong social conscience

Staff are given a paid volunteering day and, to support Bournemouth charity MYTIME Young Carers, many helped supervise Making Memories Days for young carers. Others took part in fund-raising events such as the Bournemouth Bay half-marathon, the MYTIME corporate championships and a dodgeball event at Bournemouth 7s Festival.

Personal Growth
%

85% of staff agreed

This job is good for my own personal growth

Staff have six-monthly career-progression meetings with the managing partner or operations manager. Discussions centre around Frettens' people strategy: "Tell us where you want to go and we will help you get there." The meetings are separate from annual appraisals with line managers or fee-earner review meetings and do not focus on performance.

Quick Facts

Organisation established in
1978
Total number of UK employees
Number of UK locations
39
Employee average age
27% : 73%
Male : Female employee ratio
34%
Employees earning £35k+
15%
Employee turnover (voluntary)
Quote from the top...
One of the things that is very easy to say is we put our staff front and centre with everything we do. It’s a different matter when you actually run an anonymous survey every single year and ask your staff to confidentially rate you out of 10 as to how you’re doing as a business and as a leadership team and that’s really important. So if we can’t measure employee engagement we can’t really claim to have an engaged workforce. But I’m very pleased to say through the best companies survey we’ve had some very terrific results. Loads of stuff to work on as all businesses will have and we do take it really seriously and we do action all the things that come out of it. But its important to stop at least once a year to formally ask your staff 'how are we doing' and that’s what we do.

Matthew Fretten, Managing Partner - Frettens LLP

Benefits

Private Healthcare

Companies offering private health insurance to all employees.

Women in Senior Management

At least 40% of senior managers are women.

Latest Achievements

National Ranking
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47
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Best Companies to work for in the UK
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Best Companies to work for in the UK
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Best Companies to work for in the UK
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Best Companies to work for in the UK
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