New guide a watershed moment for law sector wellbeing

The Law Society of Scotland has underlined its commitment to the mental health of legal professionals with the launch of a new resource to guide workplaces.

The Guide to creating a Wellbeing Strategy, which has been launched at this week's Law Society of Scotland Annual Conference, is intended for use by employers to develop formal structures to support the mental and physical wellbeing of their staff.

The publication outlines a three-step process to develop a wellbeing strategy, including securing the support of senior workplace leaders and consulting with colleagues on the wellbeing support they want.

Law Society of Scotland President Sheila Webster said: “Our new guide is testament to the high priority being given to wellbeing by solicitors and across the legal sector. It’s a practical support to look after the people who are at the heart of what legal workplaces do.

“The legal sector hasn’t had the best reputation for prioritising wellbeing, too often being associated with long hours and a stressful and combative workplace culture. This guide is a welcome sign of change and how new entrants to the profession are demanding something better.

“Many larger law firms already have a wellbeing strategy in place, and have seen tangible benefits well beyond the basic duty of care that employers owe to their staff. This guide is intended to bring those benefits to all corners of our profession, from a regional high street business to a multi-national firm.

“One common myth we want to dispel is that creating a wellbeing strategy is an expensive or labour-intensive endeavour, when the opposite is true. Implementing a successful strategy is fundamentally about understanding people’s needs and responding supportively.”

The guide has been developed with support from mental health organisations including Lawcare, SeeMe and the Mindful Business Charter, and is sponsored by employee assistance programme provider Kara Connect.