60% of the Workforce Would Consider Wage Reduction

The results of a new survey published by Hays entitled, UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2023 has found that around sixty per cent of the workforce would consider trading in their current high-wage package for an improvement in their work-life balance. 

Our Survey Said…

The results of the research were gathered, interpreted, and analyzed by the Hays. The data was then compiled into a report format and several alarming statistics emerged. The organisers found that approximately sixty per cent of the workforce would trade in a high-wage package for work-life balance increases.   

So How Can Legal Professionals Achieve A Greater Work-Life Balance?

In light of this report published by Hays, how should legal professionals aim to strike a better work-life balance and avoid being over-worked? There does not appear to be one right answer when it comes to the area of achieving a greater work-life balance. However, the correct approach for one specific legal professional will not be suitable for others because everyone is different and it would be very boring. The Oracle as part of the Law Careers.Net website advises the best approach for persons considering embarking on a career in the profession to think very carefully about what area of law they want to pursue practising in. 

The Oracle points to the seeming direct correlation between lengthier duration of work in terms of hours, increased work-related pressure and a higher remuneration package. Such persons considering such a career will need to be aware that the provider of legal services potentially employing them to provide services of a legal nature on the above basis will have high expectations of them. They need to decide how they want to live their life and it takes a lot of commitment. This can include working all hours of the night and through meal breaks. The Oracle in its wisdom advises potential legal professionals that if they feel they are not cut out for this lifestyle then they should look elsewhere and not proceed along the higher-profile legal service provider route. 

However, intense pressure and a poor work-life balance are not only present in the upper echelons of the profession. The evidence appears to suggest that the intensity of the pressure in the area of Legal Aid has been created by and built up by reductions in finances and higher demand. So to claim that such pressure is only reserved for the upper echelons of the profession is decidedly inaccurate as it is not confined to this area.    

If potential legal professionals feel that a more positive work-life balance is better for them or that they do not have the required attributes to work at the coal face of these higher profile firms there are several options available to such persons as this intense pressure is not for everyone. The Oracle advises this demographic of legal professionals seeking a better balance in their lives to potentially opt to work for providers of legal services on the high street and at the regional level. This is because the lifestyle, values and habits may be different in these spheres.            

Next Steps

The Oracle advises such legal professionals to gain experience in as many areas as they possibly can in a paralegal position, in an administrative capacity and another position as it allows the person to gain a flavour for the area they are considering working in and take a view on whether it is their bag. Legal professionals carefully considering their career path early on will mitigate the risk of them being adversely affected by stress.     

ASSESSING FIRMS

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THE ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN USING THE FOLLOWING SOURCES 

[SOURCE 1] Hays – Salary & Recruiting Trends Report 2023 - UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2023 | Hays

[SOURCE 2] Mayne, Mahalia – Two-thirds would take a pay cut for better work-life balance, survey finds – People Management – 10 January 2023 - Two thirds would take a pay cut for better work-life balance, survey finds (peoplemanagement.co.uk)

[SOURCE 3] Urquart, James – Employees favour work-life balance over salary, study finds – People Management - 5 September 2023 - Employees favour work-life balance over salary, study suggests (peoplemanagement.co.uk)

[SOURCE 4] Cave, Dan – Four in five UK business leaders believe flexible working is critical to success, research finds – People Management – 14 December 2023 - Four in five UK business leaders believe flexible working is critical to success, research finds (peoplemanagement.co.uk)

[SOURCE 5] Law Careers.Net – Can I work in law and have a work/life balance? – 01 November 2022 - Can I work in law and have a work/life balance? - The Oracle (lawcareers.net)