With World Mental Health Day on 10th October, there’s no better time for law firms to reflect on how they support the wellbeing of their employees. According to Realm Recruit’s 2024/25 state of the market research, 83% of lawyers consider a firm’s positive approach to wellbeing a crucial factor when choosing a new employer. This growing emphasis on wellbeing highlights the need for law firms to take meaningful action to support their teams.
In today’s legal market, prioritising employee wellbeing is not just about retention—it’s about positioning your firm as an employer of choice. Below, we outline practical steps law firms can take to demonstrate a real commitment to wellbeing, ensuring that their lawyers feel valued, supported, and motivated.
Offer Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
Flexible working has become an expectation in the legal sector. Lawyers want the ability to balance their personal and professional lives, and flexibility plays a huge role in achieving this.
What can you do?
- Hybrid working: Offer a blend of remote and in-office work. The demand for hybrid models remains strong, although the average number of days at home offered by law firms has dropped to 2.25 per week). Firms that provide more than this will stand out.
- Flexible hours: Allowing staff to manage their own hours, where feasible, is another way to show you’re supportive of work-life balance. This could mean starting earlier to finish earlier or accommodating different family needs.
- Encourage time off: Promote the importance of switching off. Make it clear that employees are encouraged to take their full holiday allowance and discourage after-hours communication, especially on weekends.
Create a Mental Health Support System
Lawyers frequently work under immense pressure, which can lead to burnout if not properly managed. Firms that take mental health seriously will benefit from a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.
What can you do?
- Take a look at caseloads: overburdening lawyers with overly high caseloads is one of the leading causes of stress within the profession. Make sure that work is evenly distributed amongst your team and recognise when it would be beneficial to recruit in order to take the weight off existing team members.
- Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs): These confidential services offer counselling and support for mental health, stress, or personal issues. EAPs show that your firm values employee wellbeing beyond just their work performance.
- Mental health champions: Appoint internal ambassadors who can act as points of contact for colleagues feeling overwhelmed or stressed. This opens up conversations around mental health and makes it easier for employees to ask for help.
Promote Physical Wellbeing Initiatives
Physical health is often overlooked but is an essential part of overall wellbeing. By encouraging employees to stay physically healthy, law firms can boost morale, reduce absenteeism, and create a healthier work environment.
What can you do?
- Health benefits: Offer subsidised gym memberships or fitness classes, organise firm-wide health challenges, or provide access to wellness programmes. This encourages employees to prioritise their physical wellbeing.
- Ergonomic office setups: Ensure that your office is designed with physical health in mind. Provide ergonomic chairs, standing desks, and equipment that promotes good posture. If your employees are working from home, consider offering stipends to improve their home office setups.
- Healthy living initiatives: Host workshops or bring in speakers on topics like nutrition, stress management, and exercise. Providing knowledge and tools for a healthy lifestyle shows you care about their wellbeing beyond the office.
Build a Supportive Firm Culture
The culture of a firm is often a key factor in whether lawyers feel supported and valued. A culture that promotes openness, inclusion, and employee wellbeing will naturally foster a happier and more motivated workforce.
What can you do?
- Regular check-ins: Conduct one-on-one meetings with team members to check in on their workload, stress levels, and general wellbeing. A personal connection with leadership helps employees feel heard and supported.
- Open-door policy: Ensure that employees feel comfortable raising concerns or suggestions without fear of judgement or repercussions. This promotes transparency and trust within the firm.
- Celebrate achievements: Recognise and celebrate both personal and professional accomplishments. Whether it’s hitting a work target or running a marathon, acknowledging these milestones reinforces the value you place on employee wellbeing.
Foster Social Connections and Team Support
Workplace relationships play a vital role in employee happiness and wellbeing. Law firms that create opportunities for social interaction and collaboration help foster a sense of belonging among their teams.
What can you do?
- Team-building activities: Organise regular social events, whether it’s firm lunches, away days, or after-work drinks. Building a sense of camaraderie strengthens the support network within the firm.
- Build a collaborative working environment: Encourage collaboration and mentorship within teams. This allows lawyers to work together, share knowledge, and support each other through challenges.
- Peer-to-peer recognition: Introduce a peer recognition programme where colleagues can acknowledge each other’s hard work and contributions. This kind of appreciation from peers is incredibly valuable for boosting morale and wellbeing.
Be Transparent About Your Wellbeing Commitment
It’s not enough to simply implement wellbeing initiatives—you need to make sure your employees and prospective hires know about them. Transparency is key to demonstrating that your firm genuinely values wellbeing.
What can you do?
- Promote wellbeing initiatives: Make your firm’s wellbeing policies and initiatives a key part of your employer branding. Talk about them during the recruitment process and highlight them on your website, social media, and internal communications.
- Measure and share progress: Regularly survey employees on their wellbeing and satisfaction. Use this data to inform improvements and share your progress with the team. Showing that you’re responsive to feedback reinforces that wellbeing is an ongoing priority.
In a market where 83% of lawyers prioritise a firm’s approach to wellbeing, law firms cannot afford to ignore this critical aspect of employee engagement. Demonstrating a commitment to flexibility, mental and physical health, and building a supportive culture will not only retain your current team but also make your firm more attractive to top legal talent. By embracing a comprehensive and transparent approach to wellbeing, law firms can position themselves as employers of choice in an increasingly competitive landscape.
At Realm Recruit, we specialise in helping law firms refine their Employer Value Proposition (EVP) and develop strategies that support employee wellbeing. Contact us today for tailored advice on how to create a workplace where lawyers can thrive.
