Only those candidates who consider themselves refreshing, engaging, pioneering, assured, bright, talented and passionate need apply for a job at Olswang. For this is the brief for staff working at the Reading and London offices of this ambitious law firm.

Simon Olswang set up his company 26 years ago on the premise that all staff should be respected for making a valued contribution to the enterprise. His principles are clearly good for business — the firm made pretax profits of more than £29m in the past financial year — and have created a motivated and contented workforce. Employees are proud to work for the firm. They give it an 81% positive score and would recommend others to get a job here (80%).

Olswang works hard to maintain this winning culture with informal lunches for staff and their managers, consultative e-mails and an annual weekend away with colleagues. Last year top performers were treated to dinner at a UK restaurant of their choice. A Christmas party, tea-and-cakes afternoons and other fun events are also ways the firm says thank you. It all serves to foster good relationships and a strong team spirit. Staff have fun with colleagues (80%) and are confident in their workmates’ abilities (85%, the fifth best score) and in the leadership skills of the senior management team (83%).

Committed to enabling its 549 staff to be the best at what they do, Olswang has a proactive training programme for everyone, from fee-earners to secretaries and operations teams.

Always looking to improve, it has responded to some of the comments made in last year’s Best Companies staff survey, which has led to the introduction of a future partner training programme, a partner coaching scheme and a sabbatical policy.

As well as being dedicated to the law, Olswang has made an oath to be environmentally friendly and has set up a green team. Staff believe it is doing enough to protect the environment (83%).

Benefits include on-site massages, emergency childcare and private healthcare for employees.

Chief executive Jonathan Goldstein, who in addition to being head of the firm maintains an active client practice in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance, is liked and respected by staff. Workers have a great deal of faith in him (78%) and think he runs the company on sound moral principles (74%).

To recognise and reward loyalty the company has introduced a new award of £200 for every year of service, which is first paid after an employee has clocked up five years with the firm.

Olswang appreciates the needs of staff to balance responsibilities at home and work and offers a range of flexible working options. However, people still feel they are spending too much time at the office, with the firm scoring just a 49% positive score on this question.

The firm believes in giving something back and is currently trying to raise £250,000 to support Fairbridge, a charity that works with young people who are not in education, training or employment to give them motivation, confidence and the skills they need to change their lives. Lawyers also do pro bono work. This support does not go unnoticed and workers appreciate being able to help causes outside the firm (71%).

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