In-house counsel play an instrumental role in many organisations. They are the eyes and ears behind the success of contracts, negotiations and often act as a lynchpin between different business functions. In-house counsel often go out of their way to make sure they are reaching the demands of their internal client. This very often leads to stress, burnout and an expectation that lawyers are simply being lawyers.
This R U OK Day, ACC Australia urges the industry to reach out to one another and ask if their peers are ok. In 2018, the ABC reported that 85% of lawyers experience anxiety in the workplace. In 2021, Lawyers Weekly reported that Covid-19 had a detrimental impact on lawyers, with increased work hours, a loss of boundaries between work and home and an expectation that the lawyers would be on call.
If you or a peer you know is not ok, then reach out:
- Ask RU OK? Tell them you are here to listen
- Listen with an open mind
- Encourage action
- Check in
As lawyers it is important that set an example and break down the stigma that surrounds the profession regarding burnout and mental health.
For more information, check out RU Ok’s website for tools and resources.
Article by: Darshana Parekh, Committee Member, ACC Australia Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Special Interest Group
ACC Australia is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive in-house profession and has created the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Special Interest Group. If you are interested in participating in the special interest group or contributing ideas, please contact t.henderson@accglobal.com.