Mental health crisis costs law firms up to £65 million a year
updated on 01 November 2024
Reading time: two minutes
A recent study conducted by wellbeing platform Unmind has unveiled a concerning trend within the legal sector, highlighting that poor lawyer wellbeing is costing big law firms an average of £65 million annually. Meanwhile, medium-sized law firms lost £34 million and smaller law firms lost £6.8 million on average each year.
The research, which surveyed 4,400 legal professionals across mid-size and large law firms in the UK and the US, points to stress as the leading cause of poor mental health, affecting 44% of respondents. In addition, a lack of fulfilment and insufficient support from law firms were significant concerns, cited by 43% and 37% of participants, respectively.
Meanwhile, the financial toll on law firms has been attributed to a combination of factors, including presenteeism, employee turnover and absenteeism, with presenteeism alone accounting for 69% of the mental health-related loss per employee.
The study further reveals a disparity in the experience of mental health challenges between associates and partners. While 43% of partners reported open discussions about mental health and wellbeing in their firms, only 32% of associates shared this view.
In response to these findings, Unmind has proposed several recommendations aimed at improving wellbeing among lawyers and staff, including:
- making mental health a mandatory component of leadership development;
- implementing targeted wellbeing initiatives; and
- providing accessible, one-to-one coaching and mental health support.
Unmind's Chief Executive Dr Nick Taylor explained that current “box-ticking” approaches to mental wellbeing are insufficient and that “solely placing the responsibility on employees to manage their mental health is neither sustainable nor effective”.
Taylor also highlighted the critical role of senior leadership in driving change within law firms: “Successful, lasting change requires initiatives that reach every organisational level, starting with senior leadership. This is especially important in law firms, as employees perceive a lower commitment to wellbeing from senior leaders compared to other sectors.”
Note from the LawCareers.Net content team: if you’re feeling overwhelmed while at university, you can talk to LawCare who offer free emotional support, as well as Nightline and Student Space. If you need support now, text SHOUT to 85258 to chat with a trained volunteer.
