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Well Within the Law now a core Law Society service

Law Society Psychological Services celebrates its third birthday this month.  

 It’s been a dynamic time for the service, during which it has reached out to the legal profession in creative and engaging ways.  

From marquee-filled festivals (main picture) to sold out wellbeing summits, the service has engaged with thousands of solicitors keen to enhance their own wellbeing and optimise the environment within which they work.  

Central element

However, it is the Culture First: Well Within the Law initiative, in particular, that has broken new ground.  

‘Well Within The Law’ is now a central element of what the Law Society offers legal professionals and legal workplaces, in terms of psychological wellbeing. 

 “What began as a pilot with RDJ has developed into a mainstream offering that has now led us to partnering with the in-house and public sector as well as Irish and international legal firms.  

“We are delighted to confirm that our work with our first partner is continuing to phase two, during which we will offer a culture and wellbeing consulting service to RDJ,” said Antoinette Moriarty, head of Law Society Psychological Services (small picture).

Revenue-generating

In further good news, this arm of the Law Society is now revenue-generating. 

Fionnuala Power, people and culture director at RDJ, confirms that the legal sector can be very stressful, with bullying and harassment, as well as a sense of overwork, quite common.  

RDJ has incorporated wellbeing awareness into its core policies, she said. 

“Work, and meaningful work in particular, play a huge part in mental health and wellbeing,” she told the Irish Examiner this week. 

“A degree of stress can be good, but when it becomes chronic, that’s when issues arise. Working in a law firm can be emotionally demanding and when there are home pressures on top of that, it can be overwhelming.” 

Power added that firms which fail to adapt and listen to employee wellbeing concerns will fall behind, given how workplace expectations have evolved. 

Well Within the Law is the first strategic response to the findings of bullying, stress and overwork, in an Irish context, she said. 

The RDJ leadership team worked in tandem with Law Society Psychological Services to assess the firm’s workplace culture.  

The findings were positive for the firm, but the leadership felt there is always room for improvement and wants a clear action plan. 

 “Our goal is to continue to build an uplifting culture that puts people at the heart of what we do,” Fionnuala Power said. 

Purpose alongside profit 

The firm is keen to signal to current and future employees that it prioritises purpose alongside profit.  

 “An overall wellbeing strategy that focuses on employees holistically rather than once-off wellness initiatives, has been more successful for us,” she concluded. 

Other legal workplaces interested in finding out about their cultural and wellbeing needs are invited to learn more here. 

Connect with Law Society Psychological Services by emailing ps@lawsociety.ie