The challenge of toxic workplace culture has been revealed in a new survey of lawyers. At a time of fierce competition for talent, the great majority of respondents to the international survey said they would avoid certain companies when seeking a new job because of the risk to their wellbeing and mental health.
Some 340 of the 376 lawyers who took part in the survey, anonymously, said that there were some firms they would never join, regardless of pay on offer.
In the past 12 months, just over a third of respondents had actively considered leaving the legal profession or changing their specialism, according to RSGi, which carried out the survey for the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe Report.
If you throw money at a problem, you won't make the problem disappear, said one lawyer.
Another respondent said that, as soon as a client requires a response from lawyers, caring goes out the window: No firm feels able to say yes because another firm will say yes In the last 12 months, lawyers at top tier firms have been in high demand and many have seen their hours increase.
I would also consider moving to a firm which retains full remote working opportunities post-pandemic, said one.
None 90 per cent said that, if they were applying for a job at a law firm now, there are firms they would refuse to work for, regardless of remuneration, because they believe working culture will affect their wellbeing.
None 35 per cent have actively considered leaving to work in a different profession or sector in the past 12 months.
The 20% of the 30 per cent would accept a decrease in pay in exchange for longer working hours if offered by their organisation.
None 32 per cent would prefer to have their working hours stricter regulated by their organisation.
None 38 per cent of the men do not think the hours they are required to work are reasonable.
None 37 per cent said volunteering and pro bono opportunities offered by their firm improve their wellbeing, while 26 per cent said it does not improve their wellbeing; the remaining 37 per cent said it was either not offered or not applicable.
None of 52 per cent were aware their organisation has published a wellbeing policy.