These days, the lines between work and home are increasingly blurred. 

The greater connectivity offered by laptops and smartphones, followed by the boom in remote working sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic, means that the stresses of personal and professional lives increasingly overlap.

Ultimately, stress has the same damaging effect – regardless of its origin. It is well established that a happy workforce is good for productivity and many employers have initiatives in place to reduce or manage stress, as well as to aid recruitment, retention and support employee wellbeing.

One of the biggest stresses and upset that anyone can go through is relationship breakdown. Many people who separate from a spouse or partner have no idea where they stand legally and financially, creating a massive amount of uncertainty for the future, accompanied by the stress and anxiety of coping with significant change.

Estimates vary, but it’s commonly held that around 40% of marriages end in divorce. And that’s before you add co-habiting couples who separate into the mix.

In 2023, a survey from the Positive Parenting Alliance found that 90% of respondents said that their work performance was impacted when they went through a divorce, and 95% reported that their mental health at work suffered. In addition, 39% felt they had to take time off work as a result of their separation, with more than 11% having stopped work altogether.

One way of alleviating the stress relating to relationship breakdown is to gain certainty on what will happen next and expert guidance on how best to move forward. Speaking to a specialist family lawyer will provide expert guidance on the right approach and how to minimise acrimony as far as is possible.  

Mediation and “collaborative practice” – which is similar to mediation but involves the direct assistance of lawyers acting for each person – are two commonly used solutions which can help reach a consensus constructively.

Good family lawyers will advise their clients on the best options for sorting things out, aiming to resolve everything sensibly and cost effectively however difficult the circumstances.

Encouraging your employees who are going through a separation or divorce to see a family lawyer and other emotional support will provide much-needed certainty and reassurance, help them to adjust, and allow them to get on with the other things they need to do in their life – including performing well in the workplace. It’s best for them, and it’s best for you.

Our family and divorce team are experts in this field, please contact Richard Smith if you’d like to discuss further.

Related News, Insights & Events