HR survey: Dickinson Dees

HR head
Simon Cassidy.

Trainee retention rate
93 per cent.

Assistant attrition rate
Solicitors 10.07 per cent, associates 5.06 per cent.

Salaries
NQ – £30,000;
6PQE – £43,000-£47,000.

Bonuses
None.

Training
Regular in-house training and external courses, extensive personal improvement skills courses.

Appraisals
Appraisal, supervision and feedback by a designated partner. A formal 360° appraisal system is about to be piloted.

Partner progression
Thirty-three per cent of partners are home-grown, with currently seven lateral hires. Youngest partner 27.

Billable hours target
1,400 for solicitors and 1,100 for partners.

Flexible and part-time working
No formal flexible working hours, but part-time working is offered.

Holiday entitlement
Twenty-five days holiday for all.

Benefits
Life assurance, car insurance, group Bupa and permanent health insurance, travel season ticket loans. The pension scheme is a 5 per cent matched contribution upon commencement of employment. For partners this is increased to 7 per cent.