Legal Burnout: Time for Change

Burnout has become one of the biggest mental health challenges facing the legal industry in Canada. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Common symptoms include constant fatigue, irritability, lack of motivation, trouble concentrating, and feeling detached from work. You can read more about burnout in our other blog.

The National Study on the Health & Wellness Determinants of Legal professionals in Canada revealed some troubling numbers: 55% of legal professionals said they were experiencing burnout, and nearly three-quarters said they had considered leaving their jobs because of it. That's more than half of the profession running on empty and thinking of walking away.

Why Burnout is So Common

The legal profession is fast-paced, demanding, and often unforgiving. Heavy caseloads, strict deadlines, and constant pressure to meet billable hour targets all contribute to high stress.

Long hours are often seen as a badge of honor and a rite of passage, especially for new lawyers eager to prove themselves. But this culture quickly leads many young professionals to burn out. One survey participant explained, “The adversarial nature of legal practice, coupled with high responsibility levels and billable hour expectations, amplifies stress.” For those just starting out, the lack of balance between work and personal life is a major concern.

What Employers Can Do to Combat Burnout

Burnout isn't new, but it's a problem law firms and employers can't afford to ignore. Here are strategies that can help:

• Better Workload Distribution: Spread out tasks more fairly so no one team or individual is overwhelmed. Regular workload checks and using project management tools can make a big difference.
• Supportive Environments: Toxic workplaces drive people away. One unhappy employee can change the entire office atmosphere. Firms can improve morale by setting boundaries on after-hours communication and offering mental health resources like counseling or mindfulness programs.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Remote work and flexible hours allow employees to manage their schedules better and achieve healthier work-life balance.
• Mental Health Resources: Legal work often involves difficult clients and emotionally heavy cases. This can lead to compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and moral distress. Employers should invest in counseling, stress management workshops, and mindfulness training. Creative ideas include wellness rooms, fitness subsidies, green spaces, and customizable workstations.

By normalizing conversations about mental health and providing accessible resources, firms can help their people cope and thrive.

What Employees Can Do to Combat Burnout

Burnout doesn't only need employer solutions—individuals can take steps too. Here are some practical strategies:

• Set Boundaries: Protect your personal time by limiting after-hours email and phone use. For example, turn off notifications after a set time or schedule a daily cut-off point to help separate work and personal life. Communicate your limits clearly when possible.
• Prioritize Self-Care: Exercise, proper sleep, and healthy eating can improve mental health and resilience. Even short daily walks, preparing balanced meals, or setting a bedtime routine can make a difference.
• Use Available Resources: Take advantage of counseling, wellness programs, or employee assistance plans if offered. For instance, schedule regular check-ins with a counselor or sign up for a stress management workshop. Seeking support is a strength, not a weakness.
• Connect with Peers: Build supportive relationships with colleagues. This could mean forming a peer support group, attending networking events, or simply checking in with a coworker over coffee. Sharing experiences can reduce isolation and normalize struggles.
• Practice Mindfulness: Simple techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or short walks can lower stress throughout the day. Using apps for guided meditation, or taking five-minute breaks between tasks to stretch and refocus, are easy ways to build mindfulness into your routine.

By focusing on their own well-being, employees can better navigate the demands of the legal profession while reducing the risk of long-term burnout.

Breaking the Stigma

Even with so many struggling, stigma around mental health remains strong in the legal profession. Fear of being judged or hurting one's reputation keeps many professionals from seeking help. But prioritizing employee well-being isn't just good for individuals—it builds stronger, more resilient firms.

If you're a legal professional in Canada looking for help, check out Help Clinic Canada. They provide confidential and flexible online therapy designed to support professionals managing stress, burnout, and anxiety. With licensed therapists and accessible sessions, they make it easier for lawyers to get the mental health support they need without disrupting their demanding schedules.

Share Your Voice

The second most common reason employees leave is a lack of work-life balance. Many respondents described being overworked, stressed, and unable to maintain healthy boundaries between their personal and professional lives. Burnout takes a toll, leading employees to seek roles that offer more balance, flexibility, and support for their well-being.

Do you agree? Let your voice be heard when our Tracument Legal Survey comes out! If you want to learn more about Tracument, click here.