Conveyancers: We’re cooked

WORKING in a high pressure, time-poor, multi-tasking environment, many Australian conveyancers are at risk of reaching burnout if they don’t heed the warning signs and learn how to deal with them, according to health and industry experts.

With the Australian property market at near-record high clearances and conveyancers needing to wear many hats on any given day, it can be a struggle to maintain good work-life balance and not take the job – and the stress – home.

“Burnout is absolutely a concern in our industry,” says Shakila MacLean, President at the Australian Institute of Conveyancers (Victorian Division).

“The increased workload can lead to longer hours, more stress, and a higher chance of making errors. This can be especially challenging when dealing with multiple files at once, or when facing tight deadlines. 

“Conveyancers may also have to deal with difficult clients, complex legal issues, and changes in legislation, all of which can add to the pressure and demand for their services.

“Overall, the demanding nature of the job can take a toll on a conveyancer’s mental and physical well-being.”

Burnout expert and trained anxiety counsellor, Bev AISBETT, author and illustrator of The Book of Burnout: What It Is, Why It Happens, Who Gets It and How to Stop It Before It Stops You!, says the three warning signs of burnout are easy to spot: 

• energy depletion or exhaustion
• negativity and cynicism
• reduced efficacy

“Essentially burnout occurs when one’s physical, mental and/or emotional ability to manage an occupation, endeavour or responsibility in a balanced or healthy way is outweighed by the demands,” Bev tells Australian Conveyancer magazine. 

“In simple terms, you have trouble keeping up without it taking a toll on your wellbeing.

“Someone experiencing burnout will be feeling stressed, overwhelmed and worn out.”

Conveyancers are not the only Australians feeling the burn with figures from the Australian HR Institute’s 2019-2022 workplace report showing 68.5% of Australian workers polled felt like they were burning out at work. And those in leadership roles were more likely to report feeling like they were burnt out compared with their team members.

Sydney-based work-life balance specialist Barbara Holmes says burnout will manifest in sickness, and absenteeism, and may result in someone choosing to leave the profession.

“Work-life balance is critical for a person’s physical and mental health. And for their well-being in their family, social and work relationships,” she says. “If we’re stressed and we’re not living our life according to our priorities, then it really does have an impact on us.”

Founder of Your Move Conveyancing, David Winning, says he has experienced the results of ignoring work-life balance with family life and his health suffering from his inability to switch off. 

He also knows of conveyancers who have left the industry and has seen the family units of conveyancer friends break down because the pressure got too much.

“In the early days of our business what got to me was that availability seemed like it was 24/7,” says David, who was suffering from anxiety and high blood pressure before he set down some self-care rules. “You’re working with clients and real estate agents that are wanting to get deals done at ridiculous hours of the night and having to make yourself available for those. 

“Something had to change so I made the decision, if something hadn’t happened by 7.30 at night then it could wait until the morning.”

Executive business coach John Colbert, director of leadership development company Corporate Edge, says implementing strategies to achieve work-life balance will help. And he advises including exercise, boundaries, holidays, daily digital detox and seven hours sleep each night will help you avoid burnout.

“When we don’t have to define it at all, because we just call it ‘life balance’.”