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Employers have seen increasing pressure in recent years to ensure like physical health, their employees’ mental health doesn’t go unnoticed. Given the great deal of time we spend in the workplace, it’s important to recognise the correlation between employee satisfaction and a healthy work-life balance. 

A 2022 survey by  saw a 14% increase in the proportion of lawyers who said their employer looked after their mental health, with 58% of law firms offering mental health first aiders and 54% offering free or subsidised access to mental health support, also an increase from the previous year. 

Seeing a positive change is excellent, paving the way for the future, however for firms who place mental health at the forefront of their business, this goes beyond support and wellbeing programmes. As we have established, a healthy work life balance is a key contributor to the status of our mental health, and in the legal sector the lines are blurred with the . 

According to a 2023 study conducted by , 76% of solicitors said they worked over and above their contracted hours on a regular basis compared to 46% in 2019, pre-pandemic. COVID-19 has shifted the way we work, and technology connects us on the go, in the office or from home, and in some ways this has greatly increased job satisfaction, giving balance and flexibility. However, this accessibility has also burdened employees with many finding it hard to switch off, and difficult to manage increasing client expectations. 

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ve been interviewed industry experts, all with diverse roles and experiences, to give us the top tips on how to help staff and ease the pressure, who all agreed that focussing on the people and culture of your organisation is the formula to achieving success and a balanced working environment. Some other key takeaways included: 

• By proactively following the expert advice, the battle of burnout and balance will fall into place. 

• Allowing your employees to enjoy a greater sense of control and satisfaction in their work, enhancing their overall well-being, and protecting their mental health. 

• Creating a culture of support and encouragement within your firm, will have a positive ripple effect, and you will see an increase in engagement, productivity, and retention of valuable talent. 

• Your staff is your biggest resource and investing in their wellbeing will ultimately lead to the overall success of your firm. 

   

Legal technology has changed the way firms operate and it’s safe to say has positively impacted the way we work in more ways than one can think of. As technology continues to evolve, workflows are integrated and streamlined, and efficiencies are amplified for maximum investments. 

The power of legal tech is a pivotal asset firms can employ to ensure a healthy work life balance among staff. By sourcing and implementing the right systems to streamline your workflow, you can place your employees in a better position to thrive by: 

• Reducing admin and automating repetitive tasks can help to alleviate errors, and in turn mitigate risk to your business. 

• Freeing up your staff to focus on more meaningful work and nurturing their client relationships. 

• Assigning higher value and deeper thinking tasks will give staff a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, contributing positively to the firm's culture. 

• Adopting cloud-based systems encourages collaboration and improves relationships among team members, reducing feelings of isolation or disconnection that can negatively impact job satisfaction.