Legal Professionals Shunning Days Off Amid Worsening Mental Health, Data Shows According to new data revealed in the nationwide 2023 UK Employee Health, Wellbeing and Habits Study has revealed that legal professionals are most likely to work on days off compared to employees in other sectors, with more than a third (37%) having done so in the last year. The same study also found a 76% increase in the past year in employees working through poor mental health rather than taking sick leave compared to physical illness. Beyond this, a staggering 90% of legal professionals want their firms to be more proactive in boosting health and wellbeing habits. Over 1,000 employees were questioned in the study, gleaning insights into their health status over the last year. The study’s aim was to discover how changing working patterns are affecting employees' health and wellbeing, and how UK companies can better support their workforce in this area. Richard Holmes, director of wellbeing at Westfield Health, commented on the ease with which excessive and prolonged stress may lead to burnout. “Pressure at work is usually the main culprit and when budgets are tight and teams are small, people often find themselves with multiple roles and heavy workloads, piling on the stress,” he said. Claire Brown, qualified life carer and coach, added: “Employees must be encouraged to prioritise their health and wellbeing above productivity by taking regular breaks from the screen and getting fresh air, where possible. Providing alternative and innovative ways for connection and communication between team members is also really valuable.” MONTHLY ROUND-UP 9
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