IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission research finds that law firms need a new approach to tackling the wellbeing crisis
According to research by the International Bar Association (IBA) Professional Wellbeing Commission there remains a lack of understanding in law firms of the importance of addressing workplace wellbeing challenges. Highlighted was a deficiency in appropriate and effective engagement in the promotion and support for positive mental health and wellbeing.
According to the findings in Workplace Wellbeing Survey 2024 Analysis and Discussion (‘the Report’), many law firms find it difficult to create an effective and proactive policy that can prevent wellbeing issues from arising. It is further emphasised in the Report that line managers are crucial to supporting workplace mental health and wellbeing, yet they currently lack the recognition, support and training necessary to fulfil this role effectively.
The Report's principal drafters are Professional Wellbeing Commission members, Chris Owen and Dr Emma Jones.
Mr Owen commented: ‘A growing body of research evidence points to the strong links between employee wellbeing and key business outcomes such as recruitment, retention and performance. The Report demonstrates that what people think are the drivers of workplace wellbeing, such as compensation, are not what are most predictive of wellbeing. Critical amongst these drivers are a strong sense of trust, inclusion and belonging. Achieving this is to a large part dependent on the quality and effectiveness of managerial support and their willingness to proactively engage with individuals within the team or group. It is only with this proactive level of engagement that many of these individuals are willing to vocalise their need for help and support.’
Dr Jones said: ‘The Report’s findings emphasise the important role of individuals who have managerial responsibilities in law firms. Such individuals can have a significant positive impact upon the wellbeing of their colleagues. However, they are also vulnerable to wellbeing challenges themselves if they are not provided with the necessary training, support and resources to enable them to do this. There is an old saying that individuals are often promoted because they are good lawyers, rather than good managers. To tackle the current wellbeing crisis in law, we need to ensure that management skills, particularly people skills, are fully recognised, valued and rewarded.’
The report indicates that for 40.71 per cent of survey respondents, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of mental health. However, for several respondents there is a disconnect between measurable actions and playing ‘lip service’ to wellbeing initiatives.
For instance, 62.56 per cent said wellbeing and good mental health schemes were part of an organisation’s organisational strategy, but only 39.21 per cent indicated that these programmes were actively monitored and evaluated on their success rates within their organisation. Furthermore, there appears to be a lack of the right type of engagement to make plans a reality.
Recommendations by the Report’s authors include:
- law firms should implement strategies enabling them to move from a reactive to an engaged and proactive approach to workplace wellbeing;
- individuals with managerial responsibilities should be provided with sufficient training, resources and support to enable them to appropriately foster and promote positive workplace wellbeing; and
- bar associations, law societies and other organisations involved in the legal profession should support law firms in adopting a new approach to wellbeing through the provision of training and support and the dissemination of relevant information, evidence and examples of good practice.
About the survey
The survey was conducted in July 2024 with 236 participants who were members of various IBA Committees across 68 jurisdictions. The highest proportions of participants were from Nigeria (9.2 per cent), Italy (5.9 per cent), Switzerland (4.6 per cent), the United Kingdom (4.4 per cent) and the United States (4.1 per cent). Of the participants, 50.4 per cent identified as female, 48.7 per cent as male and 0.8 per cent preferred not to disclose.
The research pointed to gender bias occurring during the development of wellbeing policies since respondents who gave more negative answers were more likely to identify as female, indicating more needs to be done in catering for different needs.
The Report contains visual representation of responses. As an example:
ENDS
Contact: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org
Notes to the reader:
- Click here to download a PDF copy of the IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission Workplace Wellbeing Survey 2024.
- Click here to download a PDF copy of the 2021 Mental Wellbeing in the Legal Profession: A Global Study.
- The IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission was formed in 2021, following the publication of the IBA’s 2021 landmark study Mental Wellbeing in the Legal Profession: A Global Study. The Commission was invited to circulate a survey via several IBA Committees to inform its continued work. The survey was carried out in July 2024.
- The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, with the aim of protecting and promoting the rule of law globally, it was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world's bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice. The IBA acts as a connector, enabler and influencer, for fair practice and accountability worldwide. The IBA has collaborated on a broad range of ground-breaking, international projects with the United Nations, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, The Commonwealth, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, among others.
- Find the IBA on social media here:
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