Does Freshfields pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Freshfields employees rate their compensation and benefits as 4.1 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Freshfields. This rating has improved by 1% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Freshfields?

69% of Freshfields employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Freshfields 3.2 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.3 for culture and values and 3.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Freshfields?

Associate (86) , Paralegal (38) , Legal Solutions Specialist (21) , Trainee Solicitor (20) , Intern (17) , Lawyer (16) , Executive Assistant (14) , Business Analyst (11) , Senior Associate (11) , Legal Secretary (9) , Personal Assistant (9) , Transaction Lawyer (9) , Internship (8) , Document Specialist (7) , Documentation Specialist (7)

What are the pros of working at Freshfields according to real employee reviews?

"People are great no matter the level" ((in 79 reviews)); "and good benefits" ((in 53 reviews)); "Good head office and colleagues." ((in 35 reviews)); "Great culture and lots of responsibility" ((in 35 reviews)); "The pay is good (I can't comment on what others are paid) as I negotiated when I joined the firm." ((in 31 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Freshfields according to real employee reviews?

"Long hours and difficult to plan days ahead." ((in 75 reviews)); "Poor management and communication Skills" ((in 26 reviews)); "No career progression for paralegals" ((in 15 reviews)); "Lack of diversity" ((in 8 reviews)); "fee earners who are just as dedicated to the businessbut get "market rate" pay and low bonuses if any at all." ((in 5 reviews))

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Freshfields

Freshfields reviews

Compare reviews

3.7

69% would recommend to a friend

(641 total reviews)

Edward Braham and Stephan Eilers

50% approve of CEO

71% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Compensation and benefits

3.5

Diversity & inclusion

3.3

Culture & values

3.2

Work/Life balance

3.1

Career opportunities

2.8

Senior management

Freshfields has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 641 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Freshfields employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Legal industry (3.8 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

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Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

641 reviews

3.0

Mar 11, 2018

Average

Legal pa

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Work with a great team

Cons

no flexible working and hands are tied by management with regards to decisions

1.0

Mar 5, 2018

Great perks, but that's about it

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Fantastic free Nuffield health gym, access to in house Smile Hub dentist, doctors, restaurant and plenty of after work social events

Cons

Terrible line management, you are a drone and there is no such thing as career progression at all. You can't apply for another job unless you've been there for over 12 months. High expectations that are not verbalised but you are expected to match. Long tedious processes to do simple tasks. Very old fashioned. Huge lack of diversity, high amount of oxbridge educated white men. Lip service paid to diversity.

3.0

Feb 7, 2018

Interesting work and some nice & normal people; very traditional and not always meritocratic

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I worked in one of the smaller teams and made great friends there, as well as having approachable partners who constantly sought honest feedback for themselves. The work was interesting and challenging, the deals were often headline (business) news, and if you prove yourself you can take on a lot of responsibility quite early on. The pay is good - although you could earn more for similar hours at a US law firm, and the culture was becoming more "US" when I left (target hours, bonus percentages etc). Good support services. despite quite a lot being moved up to Manchester. The experience you gain and the reputation of the firm means you are well placed to seek an in-house job later in your career if that is the route you wish to travel.

Cons

The hours can be long but that is to be expected, so ought not to be a surprise, and you are paid accordingly. There is a hierarchical feel throughout the firm, and promotional decisions were as much political as they were meritocratic. The firm has initiatives aimed at "diversity", including womens' groups and leadership courses. However, behaviour I witnessed in practice and information I gleaned from colleagues with children suggested that the goals were not being achieved.

Viewing 529 - 531 of 641 Reviews

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