Work is essential for most people’s survival. Few have trust funds and inheritances that enable them to indulge in a life of leisure without ever holding a job.
During their lifetime, the average person spends 33 percent of their waking hours at work. This figure doesn’t include the time spent completing credentials to qualify for their career or commuting, and many professions involve working long hours. Lawyers often work late while preparing for court hearings, which is one of the reasons law firms should have wellness plans. Let’s look at what a wellness plan is and how law firms benefit from these programs.
What is a wellness plan?
Wellness programs, also known as worksite wellness programs, involve any employer program that helps or encourages employees to be healthy. These programs can involve initiatives supporting a person’s financial, physical, or mental health. They may also involve activities encouraging social health or occupational well-being. Employee wellness programs benefits can include improving environmental or intellectual health or promoting an employee’s sense of purpose. These programs provide the resources staff need to live a balanced, healthy life and achieve personal goals.
Physical wellness programs are among the most common worksite wellness programs and may involve offering on-site yoga or aerobics classes. Some employers have a gym their employees can use. Employers may also support nutrition initiatives as part of their physical well-being plan.
Programs can support mental health by providing counseling services and paid mental health days, enabling employees coping with challenging situations to take time away from work without using vacation or sick time. Financial wellness plans can include providing a tax accountant to help employees file taxes or receive guidance about increasing their tax returns.
Social wellness typically involves encouraging positive communication between employees. Occupational well-being opportunities include professional development and room for advancement or changing roles to increase workplace satisfaction. For example, an employer may offer employees financial and practical support to earn their undergraduate degrees.
How do law firms benefit from wellness programs?
Lawyers are legal professionals who spend several years studying to prepare for their legal careers. For example, attorney Malliha Wilson earned her undergraduate degree from McGill University and then earned her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Once she passed the bar exam, Wilson worked for the Ontario government as their assistant deputy attorney general. Since then, her notable cases have required her to appear before the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Handling complex litigation can be challenging, involving hundreds of hours of trial preparation.
Preparing for any trial can be time-consuming and stressful. Lawyers often invest extra time in their careers while building a reputation to attract clientele. Law firms can enable their lawyers and paralegals to focus on their careers by enabling them to meet their personal needs through workplace programs and resources. For example, a law firm may build a fitness center or pay for gym memberships at a nearby gym to enable their team to take exercise breaks without losing time in transit. Engaging in exercise improves focus and helps employees ignore distractions, increasing the quality of their work.
Law firms also benefit from implementing social programs. Social wellness programs can involve hosting seasonal parties or sending staff members out for a social lunch to ensure they get to know each other. Improving interactions between staff can reduce misunderstandings and prevent conflicts, enabling team members to work together effectively.
New lawyers transition from being students to paid professionals, while lawyers who become partners may see a sharp increase in their income. Having a financial planner can help your legal team adjust to income changes and plan for their financial goals. This ensures members of your legal team don’t squander their income and look for new employment opportunities to increase their income.
Wellness programs support employee health. Law firms should initiate wellness programs to increase productivity and retain staff.
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