Norton Rose has put in place a new three-tier ranking system for associates as part of an attempt to move away from pay scales based on post-qualification experience.
Associates will instead be assessed in their February and March appraisals using a merit-based system that incorporates five primary competencies: development and appointment of knowledge and technical skills; efficiency; business development; teamwork; and good citizenship.
Only associates ranked in the top tier - tier three - will be promoted to senior associate; however, those moving from level one to level two will also receive a significant pay increase.
The firm expects those switching from the first tier to the second to have three to five years’ experience.
The decision to change the system follows an independent survey of associates conducted by external consultants last year.
The firm expects the move to go down well with associates who, they say, would rather be graded by the quality of their work than how long they have been with the firm. The survey also found that associates wanted the firm to provide more clarity about routes to partnership after qualification.
The firm is also aiming to boost associate communication with management. It has launched three different groups to deal with matters affecting associates, secretaries and support staff, with all three groups meeting regularly with management.
Lak Purewal, head of human resources, said: “The firm saw there was a gap and it wanted to bridge it. This is all part of a positive initiative to get closer to the associates.”
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