Are law firms exploiting junior employees?

In a survey, junior lawyers in particular reported suffering from burnout and stress. (Image: Getty)

Fri, 25 Mar 2022

New Zealand law firms have downplayed claims unmanageable workloads and lack of overtime payments are leading to lawyer burnout.The claims came from the Aotearoa Legal Workers Union (ALWU) whose Employment Information Survey released earlier this month found 74% of respondents’ mental health had suffered because of their work.Respondents cited anxiety, unmanageable workloads, the subject matter of their work and bullying from senior staff as reasons for stress.ALWU president Tess Upperton told BusinessDesk that junior lawyers in particula...

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