Essex based law firm Birkett Long has secured accolades in the prestigious Best Companies to Work For list. With a 190-strong team comprising specialists in law, intellectual property, finance, and HR, the firm’s contributions to businesses and communities have garnered recognition, regionally and nationally.

Birkett Long’s dedication to fostering a flexible work environment and cultivating a positive “praise culture” has been recognised as an Outstanding Company to Work For in the annual Best Companies rankings. The firm has proudly achieved a 2 Star Accreditation, the second-highest standard of workplace engagement, along with 33rd position in the Best Mid-Sized Companies to Work For in the UK, secures the 18th position as the Best Company to Work For in the East of England, and is acknowledged as the 9th Best Law Firm to work for in the UK.

Joann Kebbell, Partner and Director of HR and L&D at Birkett Long, emphasises the firm’s focus on people, stating, “Birkett Long truly focuses on people – our clients, our employees, our business partners, and those in our local communities. With people and community at our heart, we are committed to investing in our staff and their personal development.”

The firm’s commitment to employee engagement is exemplified through various initiatives, including turning Employee Appreciation Day into a whole week, during which staff enjoy a host of perks, from free in-office lunches to coffee house vouchers, all contributing to a supportive and rewarding work environment. Employee appreciation and thank you gifts feature throughout the year. Wellbeing awareness is celebrated at Birkett Long. World Mental Health Day was acknowledged throughout the week with a focus on the benefits of exercise and sports to mental health, which included lunchtime walks, darts, football, table tennis tournaments and Zumba classes.

Employees have many opportunities to develop their skills and profile, including training courses, working within different teams, attending charity events on behalf of the LLP and being the face of the firm by penning articles on law changes for social channels and wider media.

Birkett Long’s employees express high satisfaction levels, with 89% affirming that their team goes out of its way to help them. The firm actively promotes charitable activities, with an impressive 99% expressing that the organisation supports and encourages such initiatives, with colleagues participating in over 90 charities and not-for-profit organisations as volunteers, trustees and governors. 97% of staff said that they feel proud to work for Birkett Long.

Joann Kebbell added, “Our people are the drivers of the firm’s success and we recognise that engagement comes in many forms and may look different to each employee. We recognise and reward our teams for their hard work, demonstrating and explaining how they fit into the overall success and strategy of the firm and we actively encourage collaboration and teamwork. We provide our employees with the tools to succeed and lead from the top, and we continuously actively listen for meaningful insights into employee experience to help drive and shape change. We believe that by listening, understanding and acting on feedback helps us shape an engagement strategy and creates a more open culture where our employees feel comfortable to share their ideas, feel valued and that they are contributing to the successful functioning and continuous improvement of the firm.”

The recognition by Best Companies to Work For reflects the firm’s commitment to creating a positive and engaged work environment. Birkett Long’s achievements in workplace engagement align with the Best Companies mission to recognise and celebrate organisations dedicated to building a happier and healthier workforce. Birkett Long’s national recognition and regional awards support its commitment to workplace excellence.