Staff have complained to RollOnFriday that Shakespeare Martineau is operating a two-tier pay structure following its latest merger in June.

Staff were assured that the firm would look at salaries last month. It didn't. Or if it did, it decided to do nothing about it. It means that those who used to be at SGH Martineau continue to receive an average of 15% more than their colleagues who used to be at Shakespeares. An insider complains that this is despite billing fewer chargeable hours, and "all because they don't contribute towards highly paid non fee earners in director positions".

Another source says that this means that NQs from SGH Martineau are being paid more than some associates at Shakespeares. Though it's still early days for the merger, this has gone down like a lead balloon.

    Shakespeare Martineau yesterday

Shakespeares has pursued an aggresive policy of expansion in the last decade, merging eight times since 2006. But despite the practice, it's been unable to conquer every teething trouble. The firm wouldn't comment.

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Comments

Anonymous 07 August 15 09:59

Easy fix, surely. Can't believe this is too much to ask of Shakespeares given their policy of expansion as noted in the article.

Anonymous 07 August 15 15:06

How is it an easy fix when any pay increase has to be approved by partners who in turn want to keep the profits?

Simple solution is produce salary bands and be open with staff like they do in London and if someone is not doing a good job then they aren't required.

Anonymous 07 August 15 16:47

The problem is you're comparing apples with pears, wheat and chaff, a prize stalion and a mule...

Anonymous 08 August 15 00:27

Surely in the due diligence the comparison of salaries would have been done and taken into account?

So I think in order to give a payrise to the "Mules" there will be a few casualties of the "prize stallions"

Anonymous 08 August 15 00:29

Don't know many prize stallions taken over by mules and ran by the mule board of directors

Anonymous 10 August 15 18:39

Staff have already been told they will be told of salary reviews by mid august and any increase will be as of 1st June which is within 3 months of merger which the board agreed to.

Issue only arises if disparity after August yet similar targets and fees

Anonymous 12 August 15 22:36

I'm sure after the redundancies in September there will be more money in the pot for salaries... hope those complaining will be happy....

Anonymous 02 September 15 00:08

Always talk a good talk pre merger. After merger, well its too late to complain then - or if you do the answer is .....yes redundancies or retirements. Insiders know this is not a firm to trouble itself with moral obligations.