Work environment is terrible - Trainee Solicitor Express Solicitors Employee Review

The people I met, this is the only pro

I think the title says it all- constant bullying, micromanaging even the smalles things (like checking letters before they got sent out), employees being shouted at when they’re already overworked. NCT is a literal call centre with toxic management and even the office is depressing. Wages are low

Preface - I have only worked in the New Client Team, so can only offer my perspective on NCT. Frankly the best company I have worked for (but the bar is on the ground). Express does foster a good work environment and the people I've worked with have been, for the most part, a delightful bunch. There's honest emphasis on taking care of their employees' wellbeing, they pay a living wage, hard work is recognised and rewarded and anyone struggling is supported. Commission in the pay structure means staff are monetarily rewarded for doing well. Diversity seems to be something they actually care about, rather than just pay lip service to.

The sickness policy is abysmal, offering 5 days a year of paid sick leave and beyond that unpaid/SSP if entitled to it (compared with my partner's workplace offering 13 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay) so if you have any disabilities or chronic health problems, expect to lose pay. Any time off needed for appointments must be made up working overtime, something I have not experienced in any other job. As a result I cannot in good faith recommend working here to anyone with chronic health issues. Working from home is a 50/50 split with everyone expected to still work in the office half the time, despite the fact that the job can be done fully remotely, for seemingly no reason beyond upper management doesn't want people working from home that much.