LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD
All employees need access to legal services, but not everyone has it
More than two thirds of today’s employees have faced a legal situation in the past five years. Compounding the problem, individuals—especially lower-income and marginalized groups—do not have enough access to legal resources. In the workplace, this unmet need, known as "the justice gap," contributes to employee stress and burnout.
Employers can help level the playing field
With the need for legal services on the rise, access isn’t keeping pace. While 67% of employees have experienced a legal situation in the past five years, only 7% sought legal representation. Expanding access through workplace benefits may help create better legal outcomes for – and may have a positive impact on – wellbeing, satisfaction and productivity.
Insights from the report
4 in 10 Americans avoid the legal system
Accesstolegalsupportiscomplicated
59% of AfricanAmericans are concerned about k
Low-income, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ populations are most impacted by limited legal access.
62% of employees who have a legal plan trust
62% of employees who have a legal plan trust that an attorney representing them has their best interests in mind
Take a closer look
Gain a better understanding of how access to legal plans can help individuals succeed at work and in life.
The DEI opportunity for employers
Access to group legal plans help employees feel cared for while helping employers deliver on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.1
Compared to employees without a legal plan, employees enrolled in
more likely to say that they are satisfied with the DEI benefits and programs that their employer provides
more likely to say that they are satisfied with the way their employer fosters an inclusive and equitable/fair culture
more likely to feel cared for
1 MetLife Employee Benefit Trends Study 2022.
Source (unless otherwise noted): MetLife Group Legal Plans Legal Access Research