About Stephensons Solicitors LLP

Stephensons were one of the founding firms taking part in the innovative Employer Ownership of skills initiative run by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Not only did Stephensons help to set the agenda for legal apprenticeships, but together with other leading North West law firms, committed to taking on 80 legal apprentices between them. Since this time, Stephensons have retained their commitment to apprenticeships and offered opportunities in a number of areas, including IT, PR and Marketing, as well as within the fee earning departments.

Stephensons Solicitors have offered counselling support to a number of employees who have needed assistance during difficult periods in their life. This has had the benefit of the employee feeling supported by the firm and reducing their time off work. They have also encouraged staff to put forward ideas for promoting employee wellbeing through the staff committee. As a result of these suggestions HR are currently looking to organise workplace blood donations, having already arranged discounted gym memberships. They are also putting together a proposal for an Employee Assistance Programme. They have previously arranged "wellbeing weeks", where staff have the opportunity to take part in such activities as smoking cessation clinics, work place blood pressure checks, talks about healthy eating, fruit baskets sent to each office, reflexology, Indian head massages etc. Flexible working is open to all staff members. Counselling support is available where required. Training has been provided for Managers in dealing with stress and how to spot early signs. Employees are encouraged to talk about their workloads in regular review meetings with Managers. Both temporary and permanent changes to working hours have been made for staff who are struggling with workplace stress, as well as reallocation of duties where appropriate.

Stephensons Solicitors produce a full CSR review document twice a year, which sets out all the community initiatives in place at the firm. During 2016 the firm donated £1,600 to Mustard Tree, a Greater Manchester based charity which provides support to homeless and marginalised people. For over 20 years, Mustard Tree has helped support communities challenged by poverty, disadvantage or unemployment. The charity provides a number of initiatives to provide much needed life support, promoting mental and physical wellbeing and providing avenues into training and employment. Janine Turner, head of HR and an associate at the firm, joined staff and volunteers from Mustard Tree in Manchester to learn more about the charity and witness its work first-hand.