It is Mental Health Awareness Week, which is a good opportunity for all of us to focus on achieving good mental health and start conversations around the things in our daily lives that can affect it. A key trigger for poor mental health can be your work, which is something that B P Collins is mindful of particularly after a report was published in the Times last week which found that many ‘young lawyers are on the brink of burn out” and “working 15 hours days, [which is], pushing them to the edge”, adding:
“Junior lawyers are struggling…In a profession notorious for its highly competitive culture and brutal working hours, the pandemic has blurred lines between work and home life, leaving many questioning their future in the profession.”
To tackle this damaging culture in the legal sector head on, B P Collins has moved from a series of tactical interventions around health and wellbeing to strategic solutions in order to ensure that the health, wellbeing and positive engagement of our staff remains a key focus for the firm. Since then, we have seen a reduction in absences, excellent employee engagement and, from a client perspective, high productivity.
Below is a snapshot of our activities to help support the health and wellbeing of our staff and ensure that B P Collins is ‘a great place to work’ – a key strategic aim for the firm.
HEALTH
Mental
- A staff awareness programme has been implemented to help remove the stigma around mental health and encourage a culture of openness.
- We have two trained mental health first aiders who provide support, listen to any problems and suggest services that could help if required.
- We work with Bucks Mind, running sessions with employees to help raise understanding and provide support in relation to mental health and wellness.
Physical (pre, during and post pandemic)
- Yoga sessions for staff
- B P Collins has netball and football teams, which support physical wellbeing and enhance staff relationships.
- Healthy food options are always provided at staff meetings and client events.
SOCIAL
- B P Collins runs wellbeing programmes, where nutrition, self-care and health experts are invited to speak.
- B P Collins has a social committee, who arrange regular events, to encourage staff to get to know one another better outside of work and build solid professional relationships.
WORK
B P Collins is committed to promoting a fair working environment in which all are treated equally. We value diversity and actively promote these principles by seeking to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly with dignity and respect, recognising and encouraging individual contribution within the organisation and aiming to ensure that our staff achieve their full potential. With this in mind:
- All staff are consulted on B P Collins’ technology and IT projects, which charities to support, office working policies and staff social events.
- Career progression is vital to the firm and its staff. Talent planning, study support, training programmes, career development frameworks, skills training and cohesive partnerships are implemented across the firm.
- Our offices are designed to enable activity based working.
- Collaboration is also encouraged in the office with dedicated ‘breakout areas’ to offer a more relaxing environment when needed.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
Research has shown that colleagues working together to accomplish a shared goal can have a positive effect on company culture. With this in mind, B P Collins is committed to CSR. Highlights are below:
- B P Collins has achieved a Gold mark in the national CSR Accreditation scheme, which is a visible testimony of firm’s excellence and efforts in four pillars: environmental, community, workplace and philanthropy.
- B P Collins supports local charities and community groups through Heart of Bucks. Each staff member is given a say on who the firm should give donations to every year.
- We support young people through the sponsorship of Beaconsfield High School, local youth sports teams, work experience programmes and by being trustees of Bucks SportsAid.
The positive impact of B P Collins’ health and wellbeing programme is evident after a recent staff survey revealed:
- “B P Collins takes the duty of care of its employees and clients very seriously.”
- “We are able to be positive at work despite the pressure. The senior team take time each day to make us feel valued.”
For more information about B P Collins’ commitment to the health and wellbeing of its employees, please visit Working at B P Collins LLP
Mental health charities:
Bucks Mind: Call 01494 463364 or email info@bucksmind.org.uk.
Mind UK: Call 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk.
