How wellbeing is integral to DE&I at Gowling WLG

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This article has been produced in collaboration with Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.

In this LCN Says, we speak to Sally Glarvey, head of DE&I and wellbeing at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, about how the firm prioritises the wellbeing of its employees. Read on for Sally’s insights into why wellbeing is so important to the firm, the programmes and initiatives in place to support wellbeing at Gowling WLG, and more.

Why is wellbeing important to Gowling WLG?

At Gowling WLG, we recognise that our greatest asset is our people. Ensuring their wellbeing isn’t just a priority; it's essential for our collective success and our ability to support our clients effectively. We’re acutely aware of the unique challenges that come with working in professional services, including the impact on mental health, the risks of burnout and the importance of maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Our Wellbeing+ strategy is a comprehensive and evolving initiative designed to promote and support the mental, physical and financial wellbeing of our team members, both within and outside the workplace. This strategy is flexible and adaptable, offering a range of solutions tailored to individual needs and the dynamic nature of our world.

We’re committed to providing the tools and resources necessary for our people to thrive. By fostering a supportive and preventative approach, we aim to enhance overall wellbeing and ensure that every member of our firm can achieve their full potential.

What specific programmes or initiatives do you have in place to support wellbeing?

At Gowling WLG, we embrace a flexible and adaptable approach that offers a range of solutions to accommodate personal circumstances and the ever-changing world around us. We’re committed to providing tools and resources that individuals can access whenever needed, with a strong focus on creating a supportive and preventative approach that enhances overall wellbeing.

In addition to our standard benefits, we’ve implemented a variety of initiatives to support wellbeing. Our Wellbeing Champions programme includes 30 trained individuals who can recognise signs of poor mental health, engage in effective conversations and direct colleagues to support services such as our Employee Assistance Programme, HR advisory team or external support agencies. These champions play a crucial role in breaking down the stigma associated with wellbeing concerns and proactively encourage open dialogue.

We also prioritise the mental health of our leaders, empowering them to support their teams effectively. We offer wellbeing coaching to our partners, providing a space to discuss personal wellbeing concerns. Additionally, line managers receive training to recognise signs of poor mental health within their teams and learn how to provide appropriate support.

Our Enable network fosters a community where our people can share experiences and learn about disability, mental health and wellbeing. This network addresses a range of topics, including menopause, menstrual health, accessibility, mental health, neurodiversity and male suicide, and provides valuable feedback to the firm on areas needing attention.

What policies are in place to promote work/life balance and how do these support the firm’s DE&I objectives?

We have several policies that help to promote work/life balance, such as our Agile+ policy, which enables people to work in a hybrid way, offering formal flexible working arrangements, employee assistance programmes and wellness initiatives. These policies not only help our employees to manage their personal and professional lives more effectively, but also support our diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) objectives. By accommodating diverse needs and ensuring equal opportunities for all, we create an inclusive work environment that attracts and retains a diverse workforce. This commitment to work/life balance enhances employee wellbeing and fosters a positive, supportive culture where everyone feels valued and respected.

What flexible working arrangements does the firm promote and how do these arrangements help employee wellbeing?

We’re committed to fostering a work environment that supports the diverse needs of our employees. Our flexible working arrangements are a key part of this commitment and include several initiatives designed to enhance employee wellbeing:

• Agile+ Policy: this policy allows our employees to work in a hybrid manner, combining remote and in-office work. This flexibility helps employees balance their professional responsibilities with personal commitments, reducing stress and improving overall job satisfaction.

• Formal flexible working arrangements: we offer a range of formal flexible working options. These arrangements enable employees to tailor their work schedules to better fit their personal lives, which can lead to increased productivity and a healthier work/life balance.

Much like the policies in place to promote work/life balance at the firm, these arrangements also have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our people whether that be reduced stress, improved mental health, enhanced job satisfaction or better physical health. Giving our people the ability to manage their work and home lives to ensure they have time to do things that are important to them.

What’s your advice for aspiring lawyers who are worried about starting a career in law due to pressures to be in the office/work long hours?

I don't think we can avoid the fact that working at a law firm can often mean long hours, with pressures to meet targets and provide excellent client service. On the flip side it's a really rewarding career choice, with amazing clients and fascinating work. There’s no getting away from the time required of lawyers, but what helps is ensuring you take active control of your wellbeing and put in place things that’ll help you to ensure you get a balance between work and life – recognising that this isn't always an equal 50:50 balance and sometimes work will take priority and vice versa.

Some practical things people can do include making the most out of the tools and resources to manage your time effectively, work smarter not harder. Make sure that you’re taking time for your own self-care – carve out time for activities that help you to relax and recharge. This could be something as simple as going for a walk every day or spending time with family/friends. Taking time for yourself can help to prevent burnout and maintain your overall wellbeing.

Sally Glarvey is head of DE&I and wellbeing at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.