Crown Chambers recognise the importance of maintaining and improving health and wellbeing in the workplace and is committed to implementing measures which encourage a healthy workforce. This policy sets out the Chambers approach and framework to health and wellbeing. This is monitored by the Head of Chambers and is the responsibility of every member of Chambers to maintain.

We recognise that having a happy, healthy and safe workforce is vital to the provision of the outstanding levels of service we strive for and for our employees to live happier lives both in and outside of work. We also recognise that work can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of staff, barristers and pupils.

This policy applies to all employees of Crown Chambers and every connected party is responsible for the promotion of health and wellbeing.

Scope of the Policy

To establish and support Chambers’ culture, values and beliefs and identify elements which may have an adverse impact on members’, clerks and pupils’ mental health. Chambers will:

• Implement and maintain an effective equality and diversity program to reduce discrimination and stigma by increasing awareness and understanding of all forms of disability;
• give employees information on, and increase their awareness of, mental wellbeing;
• give open and available support to individual staff, pupils and barristers;
• include information about our mental health policy in induction sessions;
• provide opportunities for staff, pupils and barristers to look after their mental wellbeing, for example through physical activity, stress reducing activities and social events;
• offer staff flexible working arrangements and encourage barristers and pupils to have a good work-life balance;
• manage conflict effectively and ensure the workplace is free from bullying and harassment, discrimination and racism;
• establish good two-way communication to ensure staff involvement, particularly during periods of organisational change.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) definition of work-related stress is: ‘The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work’. People can become stressed when they feel they don’t have the resources they need (whether material, financial or emotional) to cope with these demands.

Mental ill health can range from anxiety and depression (the most common mental health conditions) to severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. The websites of organisations such as Mind and Rethink Mental Illness describe the most common physical and psychological aspects of different mental health conditions.

Support

To ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that Chambers complies with legal requirements relating to health and safety management in respect of stress. We aim to identify, as far as is reasonably practicable, all workplace stressors and to eliminate or reduce the risks from work-related stress.

We will provide support, advice and training in effective stress management and work-related stress risk assessments and action plans along with support, including confidential counselling, for employees who are experiencing stress.

Staff will be encouraged to recognise that they have a duty to themselves and to others to minimise stress in the workplace.

Staff and Pupils are encouraged to take their annual leave entitlement and reminded that they are not expected to exceed their contractual hours each week. Staff should notify their supervisor or the Head of Chambers in the event that they consider their workload/demands too much and should not hesitate to highlight any personal issues impacting on their ability to carry out their role.

References 

ACAS Guide Health and Welling

www.wellbeingcharter.org.uk

https://www.wellbeingatthebar.org.uk/

www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/

https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/support-for-barristers/wellbeing-personal-career-support/wellbeing-at-the-bar.html

Watch the Wellbeing at The Bar Video

Definitions

None

This policy has been approved & authorised by:

Name: Naomi Madderson
Position: Head of Chambers
Date: 31/01/2021