Employees in the legal sector ranked their mental and physical wellbeing lower than employees in any other UK sector.

The new data finds that two thirds (66%) of employees in the legal industry regularly feel overwhelmed by their workload – the highest figure of any sector.

Only 58% of those in the legal profession are satisfied with their work-life balance, and more than half (56%) admit that their work often interferes with their personal life. This is worsened by the fact that 16% of legal professionals work over their contracted hours every day – and a further 25% do so at least multiple times a week.

High workloads in the legal sector led to almost three in ten (28%) employees to name stress as their biggest workplace issue.

This is also coming at a cost to businesses. More than a quarter (27%) of employees in the legal sector said that they would be more productive if their health and wellbeing was prioritised, signposting a key area for businesses to address to support their workforce and improve productivity.

Delivering effective support to employees is critical for law firms to boost productivity whilst attracting and retaining key talent to gain a competitive edge.

Antonio Barradas, regional managing director of Epassi, comments: “Our research paints a concerning picture for legal firms which have long been associated with stressful environments, long hours and poor wellbeing. Unfortunately, these practices remain prevalent across the industry which risks destroying employee wellbeing.

“Legal firms must do more to prioritise health and wellbeing support and benefits for employees. Failing to do so not only risks hampering employee happiness and retention, but directly impacts productivity, creating a strong commercial case for businesses wanting to protect their bottom line.

“The most effective way for firms to do this is through employee benefit packages. Business leaders must ensure that there’s regular communication with employees to understand and address the support they need, to make sure their workforce is being supported adequately.”

Having recently acquired employee benefits platform, Zest, Epassi UK offers flexible benefits technology that connects wellbeing, benefits and employee value propositions into one seamless employee experience.