Australians have had to cope with multiple extended, strict lockdowns over the past year as the government tries to curb the spread of COVID-19. And some of the country’s law firms are making a concerted effort to support their staff through these periods, providing them with more flexible work options and programs on managing mental overload, mindfulness and sleep, and offering UberEats vouchers, group exercise classes, singalongs and virtual cooking demonstrations.

As Sydney and other cities battle an outbreak of the delta strain of COVID-19, firms say their lawyers are generally coping well with extended lockdowns, but some staff need help. The strains caused by an extended strict lockdown can be even greater than working remotely for long periods.