Our people
At Speechly Bircham we recognise the value of our people and encourage their development. We foster a culture based on individual merit, effective teamwork and mutual respect. Through the CSR programme, the development of new policies will allow staff to understand how the firm values its entire workforce. The programme aims to engage all staff and therefore provide benefit to each individual, whilst also helping society as a whole.
Diversity
Speechly Bircham aims to foster a culture based on individual merit, effective teamwork and mutual respect. We seek to create an inclusive environment by ensuring our employment practices do not disadvantage any current or potential employees. We recognise each of our employees is unique and brings a breadth of experience and perspective to our firm and its clients.
Health and Safety
Speechly Bircham takes its health and safety responsibilities seriously and as a firm are committed to securing the health, safety and welfare of everyone working in or visiting its environment.
By observing and enforcing our obligations under the terms of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the “Health and Safety Act", we aim to provide and maintain a working environment that is without risk. Information, instruction, training and supervision is given to safeguard the health and safety commitment between employer and employee.
Our health and safety partner holds quarterly meetings with the HR and Facilities teams to discuss any health and safety issues and to assess any potential risks. Annual health and safety audits are undertaken to ensure that Speechly Bircham is complying with all elements of its health and safety obligations.
Employee benefits
We value the contribution that our people make. We promote a friendly and supportive working environment with a focus on work life balance together with a competitive salary and benefits package. The firm offers the following benefits to its employees (some subject to an individual's grade or to length of service):
- 25 days paid holiday (rising to 27 days with service)
- discretionary bonus (grade restrictions)
- overtime (grade restrictions)
- private medical health insurance
- permanent health insurance
- enhanced maternity pay and leave in addition to statutory allowances
- life assurance
- employer's contributions to group personal pension plan
- travel season ticket loan
- subsidised gym membership
- subsidised staff cafeteria
- employee assistance programme
Training and development
Speechly Bircham has a strong commitment to the development and retention of its people. Regardless of the role, all our people are appraised annually when development objectives are set. Throughout the year, everyone is encouraged to review their objectives and seek feedback on their progress on a regular basis. We foster a culture where our people understand their role and take joint responsibility for developing the skills and experience that contribute to their personal and professional development.
We aim to keep our people motivated and challenged in their roles and to provide relevant opportunities for progression. A comprehensive range of development and technical skills courses are provided to support and develop individual needs as their career progresses within the firm.
In 2007 we won 'Best Trainer Medium City Firm' at the Law Careers.Net Training and Recruitment Awards, which is an achieve we are very proud of and feel that it is important to not only continue this level of support but grow this to other areas of the firm.
Healthy living for our staff
The health and wellbeing of every employee is important to us and support our staff to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. At our new offices we have our in-house café which offers healthy options for employees to choose from. We work closely with our catering suppliers in key product categories to provide our staff with a wide choice of fairly-traded, organic, sustainable and environmentally-friendly products.
As part of our sports and social committee, a number of sports teams regularly meet in both a competitive and social setting. Every employee is entitled to a gym membership with Fitness First at a reduced rate. This give staff the flexibility to attend any Fitness First gym and we are in the fortunate position to have two on our door step.