Stress the difference for City and regional lawyers

CITY LIFE: solicitors tired and stressed before the day begins

City lawyers do not work more than their regional counterparts, even if they are more stressed, according to a survey released this week.Guildford law firm Stevens & Bolton surveyed a corporate assistant solicitor from each of 100 City-based and 100 regional firms.Almost half of City respondents cited stress as a downside to their work; 66% were preoccupied with commuting and 57% with long working hours.

Only 10% of regional respondents were stressed; long hours worried 16%, while commuting affected only 4%.However, the City lawyers claimed to work on average 50 hours each week - only a mere hour ahead of their regional counterparts, on 49 hours.Stress-reducing factors were high on City assistants' lists when considering a job move.

Four out of five said they would move for better quality of life, 71% for longer holidays, 56% for more flexible hours and 71% for a higher salary.Nick Shrimpton, marketing manager at Stevens & Bolton, said the results suggest 'hours worked are not perceived to be excessive when a commute to work is taken out of the equation'.City firms have stepped up stress relief measures in recent years.

City giant Clifford Chance offers its assistants use of a gym, therapists - for yoga and the Alexander technique - and masseurs.A spokesman for the firm said it was likely it would need to construct a 'sizeable area dedicated to health and recreation' when it moves into new Canary Wharf premises in 2003.Jeremy Fleming