A recent LawCare report found that 61% of those that participated had often experienced anxiety within the last year.
Likewise, the International Bar Association’s Mental Wellbeing in the Legal Profession: A Global Study found that 56% of professionals in the legal sector had experienced anxiety. It must also be pointed out that this 24/7 culture applies to all sectors, not just the legal one.
With Mental Health Awareness Week now behind us, we must remember that it’s not just applicable for that one week – it is a reminder that mental health needs to be taken into consideration the other 51 weeks of the year.
It can be very easy for the individual to get swept along in the workplace culture of being constantly ‘switched on’ – connected to emails, chat groups and phone calls at all hours, but it is also the responsibility of the employer to ensure that employees are being given the necessary separation between work and home life.
It is all well and good recommending that individuals be more mindful of their own wellbeing, but it must also be considered from the top down, ensuring that employers aren’t putting unnecessary pressure on employees and providing the correct support network for anyone who needs it.
Unhealthy working practices need to be examined by employers on a company basis, as it is in the interests of the company, the management and the workforce that the correct balance be struck, ensuring that workers are happy in their roles and more engaged and productive as a result.
What should I do if I am struggling at work?
Always start off by talking to your manager, department head, or human resources representative. Unless something significant has been happening that may have caused upset within a team or company, there is a very good chance that management will be unaware of individual issues regarding mental health or stress.
Everyone has different levels of tolerance and all personal circumstances vary wildly between individuals. As well as seeking advice from your employer, it may also be necessary for some people to turn to professional medical advice from their GP.
If you are caught in a frame of mind at a time when there is nobody to talk to, there is always the Samaritans who are on duty twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to offer an impartial, non-judgemental ear.
Further reading
Stress at work – Oakwood Solicitors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you with your enquiry.
Jessica Rowson started as a Paralegal at Oakwood Solicitors in July 2010, qualifying as a Solicitor in September 2013. Following her qualifying as a Solicitor, Jessica established a niche department …
5 signs that you’re being overworked
A recent survey commissioned by Visier reported that more than half of employees in the UK believe that they are ove…
View
Stress Awareness Day – Signs of stress and how to combat it
We can all feel overwhelmed with life at times, particularly as we are living in an age of ever-escalating prices, worldwide political instability and intermittent fuel and energy uncertainties he…
View
Are Any of Your Staff Close to ‘Breaking Point’ Because of Stress?
Most of us assume that we’re pretty switched-on when it comes to colleagues at work. Many of us have good relationships with co-workers, exchanging chatter, jokes and what …
View
