LawCare warns that workplace bullying is on the rise

The support charity LawCare has recently published its review of 2013, revealing that almost one in five lawyers complaining of stress are being bullied in the workplace. 

In previous years, the charity emphasised the dangers of stress leading to alcoholism and drug use if left unchecked. In 2013, stress accounted again for the majority of calls (75%); 12 percent of the case files related to depression and six percent of callers reported problems with alcohol. The year stands as the second busiest ever for the charity, with a 36 percent increase in case files opened compared to 2012. Notably, four out of 10 callers were either trainees or had been qualified for less than six years.

The charity commented: "LawCare has long theorised that law is a stressful profession which causes those starting out to turn to alcohol to unwind, resulting in an addiction problem later in their careers. However, this appears less marked in 2013 that in previous years, with 17% of alcohol misusing callers qualified fewer than five years or trainees, and 16% of stressed callers having 21+ years PQE."