"A people business" is how solicitors firm Palmers describes itself. It's focused on "developing a spirit of community within the company and outside it."

The Essex-based firm – which acts on a range of personal and business matters from Wills, Trusts and Probate to commercial disputes – prides itself on the listening ear it offers to the satisfaction of clients and its open-door policy with staff, encouraging the sharing of ideas and knowledge.

Following employee feedback, the firm now offers hybrid working in addition to its already flexible approach. And monthly team days keep staff connected – encouraging face-to-face get-togethers to discuss ideas, raise problems, be grounded in company culture and get to know each other better socially.

And its staff – a team nearly 100-strong – are rewarded for their efforts in various ways. Alongside company-wide pay rises, the 'employee of the quarter' gets an additional £100. Two awards are up for grabs – one for service to colleagues and the other to clients.

Employees are also given a 'thank you day' off on or around their birthdays and receive other gifts of appreciation, from afternoon tea packs to chocolate boxes. And the firm recognises that a simple 'thank you' for a job well done can go a long way too.

And there are plenty of career development opportunities at Palmers, with secretaries financially supported through paralegal exams to become fee earners and trainee solicitors going on to become company business leaders.