Law firms in Australia are giving staff an extra few days of vacation to help them deal with the stress of prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns, as the topic of mental health in the legal workplace moves front and center.

Sydney-based staff at national law firm Colin Biggers & Paisley, for example, won’t be working this coming Friday, which in combination with a public holiday on Monday will give them a four-day weekend. The firm’s Melbourne staff had Monday off, which also provided them with a four-day weekend in combination with a public holiday in the eastern Australian city.