The legal industry is well known for its well-paid but high-pressure work environments – where many thrive, but the risk of burnout is also high.
LawCare’s recently published Life in the Law study reveals concerning findings: nearly 60% (59.1%) of respondents reported poor mental wellbeing; half (50.0%) said they had experienced anxiety often, very often, or all of the time over the past 12 months; and nearly a third (32.1%) could see themselves leaving the legal sector within the next five years.
Undermining mental health and wellbeing in the legal sector are:
- Very high levels of work intensity – over three-quarters (78.7%) are working beyond their contracted hours, with nearly 10% (8.5%) estimating they work 21+ extra hours per week.
- Low levels of psychological safety – meaning people don’t feel safe to raise concerns, questions, or ideas.
- Bullying, harassment, and discrimination – nearly a fifth (19.5%) had experienced this at work in the preceding 12 months.
Conducted once every four years, the report urges the legal sector to “act now and lead the way,” highlighting the opportunity to build a profession that values its people and protects mental health and wellbeing at work.
The study sets out clear steps showing how, with strong leadership and decisive action, wellbeing can be embedded into everyday legal practice.
In this episode
Reflecting this mantra, the latest episode of the Make A Difference Leaders’ Podcast brings together Sam Jardine, Partner at Fieldfisher LLP and LawCare Champion, and Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare, in conversation with Suzy Bashford.
Their practical tips on creating healthier work cultures that enable both organisations and employees to thrive – even when the pressure is on – are particularly relevant to those in the legal sector – but are also widely transferrable.
This episode explores:
- Prioritising people in high-pressure environments
- The legal industry’s “pressure cooker” culture
- The impact of empathy and humanity in management
- Positive management stories and their ripple effect
- Valuing people management in the legal sector
- Key findings from the recent LawCare study
- Encouraging line managers to focus on people-first leadership
- The challenges hybrid working brings
- The role of self-awareness in effective management
- The importance of human skills in the age of AI
- Measuring kindness
And, as always, don’t miss Sam and Elizabeth’s unique answers to Suzy’s signature “alien question.”
You can find out more about our Make A Difference Leaders Podcast here and download the podcast episode from your favourite podcast platform or from Spotify here:
You might also like:
