Harper Macleod LLP

Their communication strategy ensures that the leaders of the firm interact and communicate with staff at all levels, for example the three year strategy was rolled out not just to the partners but to all staff. The leaders believe in empowering employees whilst giving full support, for example the Chief Executive fully supports the Healthy Working Lives committee and Health and Safety committee, however he allows more junior employees to manage the groups. The leaders are actively involved in staff meetings, department meetings, and Practice Group meetings and attend the social events which are open to all levels of staff. The leaders ensure that they action feedback and suggestions of staff. All offices are open plan and they operate an open door policy throughout. There are half year presentations which take place twice a year to all staff in a local venue with drinks and canapés provided afterwards so that staff can ask questions informally.

The firm is committed to the welfare of employees and as part of this; they achieved recognition through the Healthy Working Lives award, aimed at promoting health awareness and healthy activity at work and out of work. They understand that it can be difficult to balance a healthy lifestyle with work and therefore a number of initiatives resulted in them achieving this award, including nutrition seminars, promotion of physical activity, and smoking cessation group. These were received very positively by staff and in turn have boosted morale and reduced absence levels. The firm encourages work-life balance and operates a flexible working policy. Their culture very much supports family life and they currently have twenty employees working flexible hours, part time hours or reduced hours. They also understand that when they are funding further qualifications that it can be difficult to balance this with work and home life, which is why they offer paid study leave for those undertaking qualifications with them.

Their communication strategy ensures that the leaders of the firm interact and communicate with staff at all levels, for example the three year strategy was rolled out not just to the partners but to all staff. The leaders believe in empowering employees whilst giving full support, for example the Chief Executive fully supports the Healthy Working Lives committee and Health and Safety committee, however he allows more junior employees to manage the groups. The leaders are actively involved in staff meetings, department meetings, and Practice Group meetings and attend the social events which are open to all levels of staff. The leaders ensure that they action feedback and suggestions of staff. All offices are open plan and they operate an open door policy throughout. There are half year presentations which take place twice a year to all staff in a local venue with drinks and canapés provided afterwards so that staff can ask questions informally.