LawCare has released new guidance for leaders and people managers on anxiety in the workplace includes ways to support a colleague experiencing anxiety.
It has launched the guidance to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) 2023. The mental health and wellbeing charity for the legal profession said that there are steps individuals can take to reduce their feelings of anxiety, but it’s important for leaders and employers to be proactive in helping staff manage anxiety. By doing so staff are less likely to experience work related mental ill health.
Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare said:
“Many legal professionals experience anxiety. They may worry that they are not cut out for the law, have sleepless nights about a mistake they have made, or be fearful of not meeting targets. The perfectionist personality of legal professionals, the high-performance culture in law, and a lack of effective management support can make legal professionals prone to anxiety. Having anxiety at work can have a huge impact on you and your career, and it is important that managers recognise and do not ignore when colleagues may be experiencing anxiety.
“Managers need to be equipped to recognise the signs of anxiety, this could be a significant drop in performance or reduced productivity, and then respond with empathy and compassion. A supportive workplace where information about anxiety is visible and talked about will enable colleagues with anxiety to feel psychologically safe to seek support.”
Finding support for anxiety
The new guidance for leaders and people managers on anxiety in the workplace can be downloaded here.
Anyone who is worried about anxiety should make an appointment with their GP.
Legal professionals can also call LawCare ‘s confidential helpline on 0800 279 6888 or visit www.lawcare.org.uk for information and emotional support.
Free anxiety webinar
Join LawCare for their ‘Let’s talk about anxiety’ webinar on Thursday 18 May, starting at 12.30pm.
This hour-long event features a panel of legal professionals who will share their personal experiences of living with anxiety and their strategies for managing it.
Book your free place here.
Read more about Anxiety in the legal profession and have a look at all LawCare’s resources about anxiety.
