HR survey: Mills & Reeve
HR head
Sandy Boyle.
Trainee retention rate
76 per cent.
Assistant attrition rate
10 per cent.
Salary range
NQ – £31,500, rising to £40,000;
London: £44,000 (top band);
Senior associates – £92,000.
Bonuses
Annual bonuses are available for all members of staff, rising on profitability.
Training
Technical black letter law and personal development skills.
Appraisals
Annual performance review and a six-monthly review option. Assistants prepare comments in advance of a meeting and the feedback is used as part of the planning process.
Partner progression
Twenty-one per cent of current partners are home-grown, 12 laterals of 66 partners. Youngest partner 26. Key performance areas that candidates are measured against are based on competency levels and assessment of future potential and past performance.
Billable hours target
1,400 for assistants, variable for partners.
Flexible and part-time working
Individual requests are considered for flexible hours; part-time working available.
Holiday entitlement
Twenty-five days for all employees.
Benefits
Permanent health insurance, gym membership, household and travel insurance, life assurance, wedding leave and travel season ticket loan. Pension open to all employees – employer contribution is 4.5 per cent in the first five years, rising to 8 per cent.
