Expert Panel Calls for Critical Wellbeing Improvements

During the recent Bold Legal Conference panel discussion ‘Ensure the Wellbeing of Your Conveyancers: Conveyancing Environment Best Practice’, an expert panel, led by Lloyd Davies and featuring Elizabeth Rimmer, Maria Lati, and Sue Bence, explored the pressing issue of stress and positive wellbeing in the conveyancing industry. They highlighted a demand for improvement strategies to support professionals and foster a healthier work environment. The panel discussed the importance of implementing key strategies for long-term industry sustainability and the wellbeing of law professionals.

Industry Stress Levels Highlighted in Wellbeing at Work Survey 2024

Lloyd Davies, Founder and Patron of the Conveyancing Foundation, opened the discussion by emphasising the importance of the Wellbeing at Work Surveys from 2023 and 2024. Both surveys, engaged over five hundred professionals and highlighted significant stress levels within the property industry, particularly among conveyancers. Despite a slight decrease in reported stress levels from 72% to 68%, stress among conveyancers remains alarmingly, proving an urgent need to address mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. During the discussion Lloyd Davies called for the establishment of industry best practice standards to set a precedent and improve workplace wellbeing.

LawCare’s Role in Supporting Legal Professionals

Elizabeth Rimmer, representing LawCare, a mental health charity for the legal sector, shed light on the organisation’s efforts in addressing industry wellbeing. Elizabeth noted a rise in “career concerns” among legal professionals post the COVID19 pandemic, resulting in an increase in law professionals contemplating their career paths and expressing doubts about their long-term roles in the legal industry.

Elizabeth emphasised the importance of building trust within organisations, advocating for regular, open communication between staff and management to ensure a supportive workplace culture. She pointed out that many issues stem from a lack of training, where senior individuals often feel unprepared to manage the emotional and mental health needs of their teams. She called for a need to prioritise management training, where firms can better equip leaders to recognise signs of stress and burnout and respond effectively.

Personal Experiences and Practical Strategies for Positive Wellbeing

Maria Lati, a practising solicitor, and wellness coach shared her personal journey with stress and burnout. She highlighted the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries, and prioritising both mental and physical health. Maria’s wellbeing transformation began after experiencing symptoms such as irritability, headaches, and a sense of dread. She explained how she had engaged with a lifestyle coach who emphasised the need for personal and professional balance to maintain and improve healthy wellbeing. Maria has since gone on to practice as a wellness and nutritionist coach. Her advice for best practices when managing stressful times include the adoption of exercise, a better sleeping routine, setting boundaries, and finding support networks.

Improvements in Operational Strategies and Capacity Management Addressed

Sue Bence of Simply Conveyancing emphasised the importance of leadership training, effective communication tools, and leveraging technology to streamline operations and better manage workloads. She highlighted the need for understanding root causes of workload stress and stated that providing adequate administrative assistance and ensuring manageable caseloads for teams was essential. Furthermore, Sue stressed the need for practices to invest in leadership programs to equip managers with the skills to support their teams effectively.

Addressing Isolation Issues and Flexible Working Patterns

Upon reflection of the Wellbeing at Work survey results which highlighted that 25% of respondents are able to work from home, but must attend the office a minimum number of days per week, up from 18% in 2023, the panel discussed both the advantages and challenges of hybrid working. They particularly highlighted the risk of isolation issues associated with flexible arrangements. To counteract this, they advocated for fostering stronger team relationships through regular meetings, social activities, and open communication. Additionally, they emphasised the importance of making in-office days meaningful, suggesting collaborative work sessions, and creating an inclusive and welcoming environment to improve connectivity for a balanced and engaging work culture.

Setting Standards and Prioritising Wellbeing in the Conveyancing Industry

By emphasizing best practices and continuous improvement, the panel expressed confidence that the industry can enhance the mental health, wellbeing, and productivity of its professionals. They identified trust, regular communication, and personal balance, along with leveraging technology and flexible work models, as essential for fostering a healthier and more sustainable work environment.

Conclusion

While some progress has been made, the results from 2023 to 2024 show that stress levels in the property industry, especially amongst conveyancers, remain high, indicating a critical need for change. To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and address common workplace wellbeing concerns download the Wellbeing at Work Surveys from the Conveyancing Foundation website.

Additionally, listen to the full discussion on ‘Ensure the Wellbeing of Your Conveyancers: Conveyancing Environment Best Practice’, available in audio.

July 24, 2024