Ellie Rogers, Senior Associate shares some thoughts
With the school holidays in full swing, finding a work-life balance as a lawyer can feel difficult to navigate. A recent Law Gazette article wonders if it is even achievable, citing long hours, demanding clients and billing pressures as some of the main barriers. This is backed up by study after study finding that a majority of those in the legal profession experience stress or burnout: indeed a lack of work-life balance cited as a major reason for leaving the profession. It’s a feeling with which I am very familiar.
Presenteeism is a problem
Early in my career as a solicitor, with few responsibilities, I could focus on my work, enjoying my job at a large law firm and the feeling of being in the heart of Legal London near the Courts and the Inns of Court. But gradually, my commitments outside work increased and eventually I felt forced into taking a career break. I felt too many compromises were being made.
Each new responsibility I have gathered along the way, has rounded me as a person and as a lawyer. It has given me emotional intelligence which I think only really comes when you have been around the sun a few dozen times. Yet, this life-experience didn’t seem to count for anything in a profession where the presenteeism office culture made me feel like I was short-changing everyone at home and at work. I resigned and I felt that there was no turning back for me. I had given up my hard fought career for good. I set up my own business instead so I could set my own rules. The same has happened to many of my friends – amazing lawyers, but they had found life as a solicitor a juggle too far. An incredible waste of training and skill.
The future of flexible work for lawyers
During and post-Covid, I saw how the legal world had the potential to change. Indeed, my husband, also a solicitor, suddenly became a home worker overnight in March 2020. So post-Covid I decided the time was right to return to work. One recruiter laughed at me when I raised the question of flexibility; “wouldn’t that be lovely” he said mockingly. Undeterred, I was lucky to find a great role in a local firm, but my heart yearned to be back in London in the middle of the action.
In spite of the seismic changes to working life that Covid brought in the short term, many traditional City law firms seem unwilling to embrace flexibility as the permanent way forward. Last year, a large US law firm with an office in London asked staff to return to the office at least 4 days per week, followed by Addleshaw Goddard, who announced to their staff in May that WFH could affect their performance reviews. Other large law firms may be poised to follow this lead. After stark evidence of the tragic consequences of burnout culture in the law in the last year, this seems short-sighted at best.
Looking to the future, our profession will need to change or staff will be forced to vote with their feet. With an ageing population, those with significant caring responsibilities out of work will continue to rise. The burden on those working will be like never before.
Our birth rate appears to have dropped to a new low – now the lowest since comparative data began in the 1930s, and well below the rate needed to maintain a population without immigration. Perhaps in view of this and the much needed desire for economic growth, the government wants to “adapt and build on the current baseline to ensure flexibility is a genuine default” and they appear to be interested in promoting a better work/life balance with their manifesto promise of legislation to enshrine the right to switch off – although as there was no meat on the bones of this proposal in the King’s Speech last month, it remains to be seen how this will be implemented.
In the meantime, what can law firms do to support their employees? Here’s my two pence:
Move away from billable hours culture where lawyers feel pressured into long hours at work in order to meet their monthly billing targets
Partner-led Leadership that models and values personal time and understands that a happy lawyer is usually a better lawyer
Offer professional support. Having a team behind you to help with administrative support and other lawyers to bounce ideas off
Foster a culture of openness. Knowing that it is ok to ask for help with both professional and personal issues and knowing how to access that help
Life at a modern law firm
At Constantine Law, I’ve found the flexibility and office culture that seems to be missing from traditional law firms and I jumped at the chance to move here. Ordinarily starting a new job during the school summer holidays would be a dreadful idea. But here, flexibility is positively encouraged. I can go to the office when I need to, but also be present for my kids. I am supported by a great bunch of experienced lawyers and I feel certain I will thrive.
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