Over 4 in 10 lawyers accept overwork, stress as part of job: Poll

Some 6 in 10 lawyers say their firms actively ensure good work-life balance for them

- K.C. Vijayan

While more than four in 10 lawyers polled accept that stress and overwork are part of their everyday working life, some six in 10 say their firms actively ensure a good work-life balance for them.

A survey of some 460 lawyers suggests that law firms have embraced flexible work arrangements and understand the value of a positive work environment in retaining talent.

The findings were based on responses to relevant issues put to participants as part of the ST-Statista Singapore's Best Law Firms 2025 survey, which was conducted earlier in 2024.

Lawyers were asked to rate the statement "My law firm actively ensures a good work-life balance for the employees" on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning "strongly disagree" and 5 "strongly agree". A total of 64 per cent ticked 4 and 5.

Separately, 44 per cent accepted that stress and overwork are part of their everyday working life in their firm, with 21 per cent disagreeing. The remaining 35 per cent ticked 3 on the scale.