rted that he, and several colleagues, had spoken with senior partners at the firm about their concerns around workloads and long hours, so it was an issue for them. On the face of it, the people who apply to work in these organisations know what it will be like, A recent press report about a young, successful, well-educated young lawyer apparently taking his own life as a result of the stress he felt under due to work pressure really made me think. He was working for one of the leading, "Magic Circle" legal firms in London with a seemingly bright future. He was well paid, compared with normal salary ranges and had the potential for extremely high earnings in the future if he saw it through. Along with a select number of other industry sectors, especially in and around the City and Wall Street, there is a pervasive "macho" culture of long-hours and high workloads in these firms. Although there are a number of people who deny that this is the case, there are many more who talk about it! Indeed, there would seem to be many who thrive on this environment - but, at what cost to themselves and those around them? Certainly, some of the organisations I have worked with over the years do appear to value the individuals who are willing to sell themselves body and soul for the corporate pound (or dollar!) It was reported that he, and several colleagues, had spoken with senior partners at the firm about their concerns around workloads and long hours, so it was an issue for them. On the face of it, the people who apply to work in these organisations know what it will be like, with a seemingly bright future. He was well paid, compared with normal salary ranges and had the potential for extremely high earnings in the future if he saw it through. Along with a select number of other industry sectors, especially in and around the City and Wall Street, there is a pervasive "macho" culture of long-hours and high workloads in these firms. Although there are a number of people who deny that this is the case, there are many more who talk about it! Indeed, there would seem to be many who thrive on this environment - but, at what cost to themselves and those around them? Certainly, some of the organisations I have worked with over the years do appear to value the individuals who are willing to sell themselves body and soul for the corporate pound (or dollar!) It was reported that he, and several colleagues, had spoken with senior partners at the firm about their concerns around workloads and long hours, so it was an issue for them. On the face of it, the people who apply to work in these organisations know what it will be like, l Street, there is a pervasive "macho" culture of long-hours and high workloads in these firms. Although there are a number of people who deny that this is the case, there are many more who talk about it! Indeed, there would seem to be many who thrive on this environment - but, at what cost to themselves and those around them? Certainly, some of the organisations I have worked with over the years do appear to value the individuals who are willing to sell themselves body and soul for the corporate pound (or dollar!) It was reported that he, and several colleagues, had spoken with senior partners at the firm about their concerns around workloads and long hours, so it was an issue for them. On the face of it, the people who apply to work in these organisations know what it will be like, nment - but, at what cost to themselves and those around them? Certainly, some of the organisations I have worked with over the years do appear to value the individuals who are willing to sell themselves body and soul for the corporate pound (or dollar!) It was reported that he, and several colleagues, had spoken with senior partners at the firm about their concerns around workloads and long hours, so it was an issue for them. On the face of it, the people who apply to work in these organisations know what it will be like, rted that he, and several colleagues, had spoken with senior partners at the firm about their concerns around workloads and long hours, so it was an issue for them. On the face of it, the people who apply to work in these organisations know what it will be like, or have at least some idea. They will probably also have the personality which fits with the driving, achievement-oriented culture - the classic "Type A"! The appeal of the potential earning power and lifestyle is seductive. However, there is a difference between what we imagine something to be and the reality when in a situation. For many this is where the problem with stress starts. This scenario is not just the province of the "Magic Circle" of law firms, it applies to many professions and industries. Maybe, not all have the promise of large six-figure salaries, but there is usually some perceived pot of gold at the end of their rainbow!

Without dwelling on the sad circumstances of the individual mentioned above, there is growing evidence that more people are feeling the pressure build-up in their jobs. The legal profession is one of those where this is the case. A helpline service set up specifically for lawyers (in Scotland), Lawcare, has reported an increase of 70% in calls over the last 2 years with around two thirds being for stress a