Mayer Brown's commitment to employee wellbeing has been put to the test by critics from rival law firms, who claim its 'do not disturb' policy for associates on holiday is a sign of internal problems. But Dominic Griffiths, London office managing partner, rejects this criticism and argues that his firm is actually leading the way in prioritising mental health.
Introduced three years ago, the policy instructs partners to only contact associates during their breaks if the information is critically important to a matter. While some rivals have suggested Mayer Brown must be struggling with internal issues to need such a measure, Griffiths believes recent events in the industry mean firms are finally taking mental health seriously.
A long-standing advocate for mental health initiatives, Griffiths points out that nearly 60% of legal sector respondents reported poor mental wellbeing in a report by LawCare. This is compounded by high work intensity, with over three-quarters working beyond contracted hours and nearly 10% estimating an additional 21 hours per week.
Mayer Brown's efforts to address these issues are evident in its broad range of employee support initiatives. Last month, the firm partnered with Baton of Hope to introduce conversations around suicidal thoughts into the workplace. It has also joined forces with Place2Be to provide mental health support and counselling in schools. Staff now have access to Heka, a wellness programme offering benefits such as ADHD and autism assessments, gym memberships, massages, and spa treatments.
The firm's commitment to wellbeing is not limited to its employees; it is also reviewing its paternity leave policy, which currently mirrors the standard UK two weeks. Griffiths notes that more male employees taking paternity leave indicates a shift in the balance of care and an acknowledgement that working parents need support.