When the US law firm Mayer Brown, based in the City, implemented a policy that partners should not disturb associates during their holidays, its London office managing partner said some rival partners criticised the move.

Speaking to City AM, Dominic Griffiths said: “When I introduced that policy [three years ago], there were one or two partners in rival law firms who deliberately criticised it.” He suggested it was a very basic policy: disturb someone only if they have access to information critical to the matter; otherwise, leave them alone during their break.

However, the London boss noted that “people should be careful in glass houses….‘Oh, clearly [Dom] Griffiths has a massive problem in his law firm if he’s having to look after people like that.'” He added that there have since been “one or two awful circumstances that have forced others to take mental health more seriously.”

Griffiths, a long-time advocate for policies supporting mental health, said, “There’s no point in people saying, ‘We’re perfect, and it’s all fine, and we’re not going to have a problem,'” adding “One in four of us will have a mental health episode in our working lives at some stage.”

According to a report by LawCare, nearly 60 per cent of respondents who worked in the legal sector reported having poor mental wellbeing, with 44 per cent citing that their mental health and wellbeing were significantly influenced by work. One of the issues is the very high level of work intensity, as over three-quarters (78.7 per cent) are working beyond their contracted hours, with nearly ten per cent (8.5 per cent) estimating they work an extra 21 hours per week.

He stated that, for Mayer Brown, “most importantly to me is creating an environment where people feel comfortable working here.”

Griffiths was recently appointed to the firm’s global management committee as the first member from outside the US, which gives him the opportunity to “promulgate the views and successes” he has had in the London office.

Firm broadens employee support

The law firm entered into two partnerships last month: one with the suicide prevention charity Baton of Hope, to “support people who have suicidal thoughts… and introduce the subject into the workplace,” and another with Place2Be, a UK-based organisation providing mental health support and counselling in schools.

Mayer Brown also enlisted the wellness programme Heka for its staff, offering a range of benefits, including ADHD and autism assessments, gym memberships, massages, and spa treatments.

The backup care also includes childcare and pet-walking services. The London boss stated, “There are a number of people who’ve used those things and said it was a lifesaver, including finding a dog walker within 12 hours.”

Family planning is another key issue affecting the sector, particularly regarding how women succeed in their careers at law firms, with a greater focus on paternity leave. “I think I’ve observed a lot more of our male employees taking paternity leave… that sort of balance of care is more pronounced these days.” According to Griffiths, the firm’s current policy for paternity leave is the standard UK two weeks, but he added, “It’s under review at the moment.”