Fionán Breathnach

Of those working for Irish law firms who were surveyed by Censuswide, 96 per cent said their happiness is a primary concern of their firm, compared to 74 per cent globally and just 59 per cent in the UK.

In addition, 84 per cent of those surveyed in Ireland said they believe that their firm supports their career progression and learning and development.

However, the survey also found that turnover among Irish employees is higher than their international counterparts, with almost two-thirds (61 per cent) planning to switch firms within five years and 93 per cent planning to switch within 10 years.

All respondents under 35 in Ireland said it is more important to work for a firm that provides a supportive and inclusive environment than one that pays very high salaries. In contrast, only one third (33 per cent) of those aged 45-54 say these values are more important.

More than three-quarters (78 per cent) of those surveyed say they are happy with their work-life balance.

The survey also shows happiness diminishes as employees get older. While 100 per cent of those under 35 say they are happy at work, this drops to 55 per cent for those aged between 35-55 bracket. Overall, 71 per cent of Irish employees are happy at work, in line with the international figure of 72 per cent.

Fionán Breathnach, country head of Simmons in Ireland, said: “The findings of this survey provide encouraging signs of how law firms in Ireland are prioritising employee well-being. However, we also need to be mindful of the warning signs around employee turnover and the trend toward declining happiness as careers progress.”

He added: “It’s clear that for the next generation of employees, values such as inclusivity and providing a supportive environment are a priority and will be key to retaining talent in the legal profession in future.

“While salary is still important for many, it is just one aspect of a career that needs to provide fulfilment, career progression, and good work-life balance.

“These findings reinforce the importance of prioritising employee wellbeing and justify Simmons’ own approach to building a next generation workplace where people feel empowered to ask for what they need to succeed.”