Ellisons Solicitors has been recently awarded the coveted ‘Great Place to Work’ accreditation, with more than 90% of colleagues surveyed, “proud to tell others they work for the firm”.
The globally recognised certification, which includes employees being surveyed and completing a short questionnaire, confirms that the law firm is a trusted workplace with an outstanding culture.
However, with the CIPD Good Work Index 2023 stating only 49% of UK workers always feel enthusiastic in their job*, what factors should law firms and wider companies be considering to ensure they retain their staff and be a great place to work? Lizzy Firmin, Chief Operating Officer at Ellisons, gives her advice.
As numbers of people within a workplace continues to grow, ensuring all colleagues are happy and performing at their best could seem like a daunting task.
For Ellisons, Lizzy says it is simply about listening to teams and ensuring they have what they need, which is paying off following on from the firm’s Great Place to Work accreditation; 83% of staff said Ellisons is a “great place to work”. One of the reasons people gave was down to career opportunities.
Lizzy said: “We were delighted with the survey responses from our colleagues, especially those that highlighted the career advancement opportunities here at Ellisons.
“We have an ongoing cultural commitment to reward and recognition that starts with our award-winning educational and training programmes. We introduced a dedicated programme for apprentice solicitors in 2021 and we have continued with this route as well as offering other alternative routes to qualification to ensure we have an inclusive environment.”
“The Ellisons Academy is available to all colleagues. The module-based programme is designed specifically for each career stage. Team members can learn a variety of skills, ranging from exceptional client service and effective communication to advanced financial management. Colleagues can also develop their coaching and mentoring skills so they can provide support to their colleagues, as well as learning how to manage their wellbeing on a day-to-day basis. Each stage enables team members to set clear goals and creates learning opportunities.”
In June 2023, the law firm announced it had promoted 20 colleagues across all areas of the Firm, including operations. The firm also celebrated 12 colleagues who were awarded the ‘Ellisons Core Values Champion’ award, based on nominations by their team members. Each nominee had displayed exceptional teamwork, care and professionalism in everything they do for their clients and colleagues.
Lizzy commented: “We want to deliver excellence to our clients, so we have invested heavily in developing colleagues’ talents and specialisms, as well as creating first-class career opportunities. Anybody joining Ellisons today knows there is a career path for them and they can fulfil their career objectives with our full support.”
As part of the feedback, the firm was also praised by its’ colleagues for creating an inclusive and diverse environment where people of all different backgrounds can bring their whole selves to work and have a sense of belonging.
In addition, the survey results demonstrate that the work undertaken to create a good work-life balance for colleagues has paid off. As supporting wellbeing becomes more important than ever, firms need to ensure they are offering the right model to ensure their teams thrive.
Lizzy said: “The way we work has changed drastically post Covid-19, however, no matter the workplace landscape, the welfare of our colleagues will always be at the heart of the firm.
Our approach to wellbeing is about enabling our colleagues to have the confidence and know-how to take responsibility for their own wellbeing, with support from the firm as and where they need it. Wellbeing isn’t a one size fits all matter, that’s why we aim to weave in wellbeing as a fundamental and natural part of everyone’s busy working lives. By providing this support, people are able to flourish in their roles.”
For Ellisons, that means a whole host of initiatives to ensure people feel supported day to day, as well as personally and professionally.
Lizzy added: “We have developed a range of initiatives to support our colleagues, from flexible working, nutrition and sleep workshops to menopause and men’s health. We also have mental health first aiders to guide employees to get the best out of themselves at work and home.”
“We have 20 wellbeing champions at Ellisons across various departments and offices with responsibilities ranging from promoting wellbeing policies to raising awareness about the various ways colleagues can access support.”
Lizzy concludes: “Everything we do at Ellisons to create a Great Place to Work comes back to how we can develop our colleagues and support and enhance working lives, which inevitably delivers the best experiences for our clients.”
Ellisons Solicitors is one of the most recognised and highly sought after law firms in the East of England.
To find out more about working for Ellisons Solicitors, please visit: Careers – Ellisons Solicitors.
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