Stress in Legal Profession Misunderstood; Bellwether Research Paper Reveals
76% of respondents believe it is a major issue
London, U.K., 17 April, 2019 – The latest Bellwether research paper titled, ‘Stress in the Legal Profession: Problematic or Inevitable’, published today by LexisNexis UK, a leading global provider of information and analytics; highlights that stress is an endemic issue in the legal profession with two thirds of respondents currently experiencing high levels of stress despite the confident ‘business as usual’ industry outlook.
Almost 1 in 4 solicitors feel that more could be done to support them in the workplace although 4 in 5 report high levels of job satisfaction and 5 out of 10 consider they have a positive state of mind. Some 39% of respondents feel in control and 30% state that their stress levels are ‘average’, while 37% feel stressed by work and 66% of those experiencing stress cite high levels of it. 1 in 4 respondents noted that they experience extreme or very high levels of stress.
62% of those surveyed believe that small firms are better than larger firms at fostering an environment of support and culture of wellbeing with the greater likelihood of flexible working, better work/life balance and more agile working practices. 92% of respondents believed that small firms offered a range of benefits including: the ability to remain in control; agility; a common ethos; and better client experience.
Jon Whittle, Market Development Director, LexisNexis UK said: “We found a robust, optimistic profession which continues to believe that hard work pays off in a bright successful future. Last year the Government positioned the law as a professional occupation with the highest levels of work-related stress, depression and anxiety which we believe is cause for concern. However, our respondents don’t agree on whether size of firm equates to stress levels. 55% of solicitors believe that enough is being done while 75% of our respondents feel that while stress is a major issue there is a sense of confusion and resignation in attitudes to it. It’s important to understand that while the future looks bright there are shadows at work.”
To access the report please visit www.lexisnexis.co.uk/stress.
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Notes to editors
About the research
‘The Bellwether Research Paper: Stress in the Legal Profession: Problematic or Inevitable’ was compiled using data from online surveys completed by 176 solicitors across England and Wales and supported by eight in-depth interviews with lawyers in small firms and small offices of larger firms. Respondents were from a wide geographical area and represented a broad sample of lawyers in a variety of positions in the firm and areas of expertise. The research fieldwork was conducted by an independent market research agency, Linda Jones & Associates, throughout November and December 2018.
About LexisNexis Legal & Professional
LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics that help customers increase productivity, improve decision-making and outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 130 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide, is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries.
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Source: RealWire
