A survey conducted by Meritas Australia and New Zealand has revealed most employees at small- and medium-sized law firms feel their mental health and well being is important to their firm, and many believe there is an open-door policy which enables them to seek help.

Sue-Ella Prodonovich conducted the survey of 200 employees at Meritas member firms, from partners through to non-legal professionals in April - May 2019.

The results provides a snapshot of wellbeing within small- and medium-sized law firms – the largest category of employers in the Australian and New Zealand legal sector.

Read the full article published by the Law Society Journal (LSJ).

Key survey statistics at a glance:

• 63 per cent of respondents said they had experienced depression, or they knew someone close to them in the workplace who had

• 85 per cent of respondents said they had experienced anxiety, or they knew someone close to them in the workplace who had

• 38 per cent of respondents said that if they were to experience feelings of depression or anxiety, they’d prefer to manage these feelings themselves

• 26 per cent said they were worried about asking for help or what others might think of them

• 21 per cent said nothing would prevent them from accessing help

• Most respondents said if their firm offered more dialogue, resources, training, and/or initiatives around well-being they would be likely to use them

• 83 per cent of respondents said well being was an important issue at their firm

• 45 per cent said they felt there was an open-door policy at work or they could talk to someone at their workplace about personal and professional issues which affected their performance

• 52 per cent of respondents said they worked on average between 35 hours to 45 hours per week

• 21 per cent said they worked between 45 hours to 55 hours

• 94 per cent of respondents said they found the demands of their work generally manageable

Related media

ABC - Lawyers Experience High Rates of Anxiety and Depression, Survey Finds

The Australian - Mental Issues Affect a Majority in Law Firms

Human Resources Director (HRD) - Depression and Anxiety Still Plaguing This Sector

Australasian Lawyer - Lawyers Feel Mental Well Being is Important to Their Law Firms

Lawyers Weekly - Tackling Well Being Concerns Needs To Start At The Top

Business Scoop (NZ) - Positive Culture Reducing Barriers to Seeking Help in Law

New Zealand Law Society - Wellness Survey Gives Insights Into Lawyer Well Being