HR survey: Richards Butler

HR head
Hilton Wallace.

Trainee retention rate
70 per cent.

Assistant attrition rate
11 per cent.

Salary range
NQ – £48,000, then performance-related.

Bonuses
Annual general bonus on performance but not given for 2003-04. The value range depends on department and can be up to 10 per cent of salary.

Training
Broad range of training opportunities depending on specific need, centred on black letter law and other programmes in response to personal development.

Appraisals
Appraisals are annual on a fixed cycle, subject to consultation.

Partnership track
Fifty per cent of current partners are home-grown from training contract. There are 31 lateral partners. Youngest partner 29 years.

Billable hours target
1,500.

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

Holiday entitlement
Twenty-five days for assistants.

Benefits
“Standard perks”. Pension contributions offered to all bar support staff on qualification, matched pound for pound.