Solicitors might sometimes be thought of as cagey, but at Freeth Cartwright they pledge to give “answers not options”. The law firm, operating in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Manchester, aims to give staff a straightforward, fair deal too.

Two-fifths of the 509 employees earn between £15,000 and £25,000, and people are happy with their pay and benefits (a positive score of 70%). They feel fairly paid relative to others in similar jobs elsewhere and for their responsibilities (both 65%).

Solicitors and support managers have private healthcare, and everyone (except partners who are self-employed) is eligible for childcare vouchers, life assurance and company loans. There is a contributory pension where staff put in about 2% of salary on average, and the firm adds just over double this.

Maternity is 12 weeks on 90% of pay, 31 at the government minimum and nine unpaid, and fathers have two weeks of fully-paid leave.

Related Internet Links

• Company website

Turning up the Heat pays off

Strong training and a sense that work is to be enjoyed add up to Heat powering past its rivals into top spot this year

Background

• Hats off to great leadership

• Getting the message across loud and clear

• Fly high with the X Factor

• Why it pays to know what you’re doing

Background

• Charity wins top small company award

• Special awards for best practice

• Rules of engagement

• 100 Best SME's to work for 2008

Multimedia

• Best Small Companies to Work For 2008

• Highlights from the awards ceremony

People feel relaxed about working, and don’t report stress-related symptoms due to work (73%). Team members get 23 days of holiday, with two days available to “buy” in exchange for salary, and partners get 33 days off a year. There are also three days off available to look after dependants. Staff can job share, work from home, around school hours or other commitments, and the firm provides broadband access, mobile phones and BlackBerrys to help them.

People feel that the company puts a lot back into the local community (63%), offering pro bono work and supporting artistic organisations such as the Magna Opera Trust. It also supports Business in the Community and school partnerships in countries such as Ghana.

Fiona Pritchard, client services senior associate, says: “Shortly after having my second child, I asked to change from working four days a week to three short days, and take additional unpaid leave to cover the school holidays. They agreed without hesitation. Since reducing my hours, I have been promoted to senior associate. I don’t feel that working part-time has impacted on my career progression in any way.”

Explore Career & Jobs

• Graduate / Management

• Senior Executive

• PA / Secretarial

• Public Sector

• Legal

• Recruiter Forum

• MBA

• Top 100 Graduate Employers

• Top 50 Women

• Best 100 Companies

• Careers in