Economic dip sees stress and bullying increase

Stress and depression at law firms is becoming an increasing problem, according to statistics released this week by the lawyers' support charity LawCare.

The figures show that so far this year the charity has received almost the same number of enquiries about stress and depression (52) as it received in the whole of 2002 (64).

Enquiries about bullying are staying stable, with 47 calls received about the problem last year and 15 so far this year.

The number of calls to the charity about alcohol and drug problems are gradually rising, up from 39 in 2001 to 44 last year.

There were 170 enquiries last year from solicitors in England and Wales, up from 156 the previous year.

Most calls are from assistant solicitors from newly qualified to five years' post-qualification experience (81 cases last year), and most come from women (94).

Anna Jackson, LawCare's administrator, said women were more likely than men to report stress and bullying incidents.

'It does not mean that men are less likely to be bullied or stressed, but that they tend to be less prepared to admit it,' she said.

'The same applies to the length of time qualified - I'm sure that some partners do feel bullied, but simply cannot admit it.'

She said the high number of stress enquiries could be a sign that firms were expecting more of their employees.

'In tougher economic times, lawyers are often expected to work longer hours and simply do more,' she said.

'People who come to us feel that they cannot say no to their boss, and our job is to help them stand up for themselves.'

Victoria MacCallum