The Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces are a practical, evidence-based tool to support principals, leaders and managers to safeguard the wellbeing of lawyers and legal support staff.
Improving lawyer wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility – from individuals to organisations.
The Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces, authored by industry-leading expert in lawyer wellbeing Dr Carly Schrever, are targeted to create lasting change at the organisational level.
They clearly set out actions that leaders of legal practices can take immediately, whether it’s the first action to improve lawyer wellbeing, or the latest measure in an established wellbeing program.
To support leaders to implement the Wellbeing Guidelines within their organisations, we’ve developed some resources, downloadable below, that support an initial self-assessment, the planning of next steps, and the celebration of progress.
How to use the Wellbeing Guidelines in your organisation
1. Read the Wellbeing Guidelines
The Wellbeing Guidelines recommend good, better and best practice actions within 3 foundational elements of wellbeing.
The foundational elements are:
- Promote lawyer and staff wellbeing and the positive aspects of legal work.
- Protect lawyers and staff from psychosocial hazards by identifying and managing risks to a fair and safe legal workplace.
- Respond to early warning signs of lawyer and staff stress, with effective systems, interventions and skills.
2. Register for a CPD session
We’re co-hosting a series of CPD-accredited online and in-person sessions that will unpack how and why leaders in legal workplaces should implement the Wellbeing Guidelines. Scroll down for details and to register for a session.
3. Decide on your goal: Good, Better or Best Practice
Using the Good, Better and Best Practice Actions Table, decide which level of practice your organisation aims to achieve next.
4. Assess your organisation’s current state
Depending on your goal, select the appropriate resource pack – Good, Better or Best Practice. Fill out and date the workplace assessment to document your starting point.
5. Take action and plan change
Using the list of actions, plan and implement the actions that will take your organisation to the next level of wellbeing.
Some actions may be implemented immediately to improve wellbeing in your workplace. Others will require planning and development, so take the first step as soon as practicable.
6. Grow your understanding of lawyer wellbeing
Explore the information collected in your resource pack, and share the message of the importance of wellbeing in your legal networks. More resources will be added over time.
When your organisation has successfully met the practice level you’ve aimed for, it’s time to graduate to the next level of wellbeing.
Why target change at the organisational level?
The Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change (Theory of Change) gave us a clear picture of the problem of poor lawyer wellbeing, and a vision for the future.
This evidence-based framework delivered a clear message: for lawyer wellbeing to improve, change must happen at every level of the legal profession – sector, organisation, interpersonal and individual.
The Lawyer Wellbeing Program at VLSB+C aims to support practical action at every level, with the Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces designed specifically for the organisation level.
How were the Wellbeing Guidelines developed?
The Wellbeing Guidelines were developed using research and through consultation with WorkSafe Victoria and the Lawyer Wellbeing Community of Practice – a group of psychologists and wellbeing experts working in the Australian legal profession.
They align with WorkSafe’s imminent Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations, the Victorian Government’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework, and use local and international research on lawyer wellbeing.
Where can I find out more about using the guidelines in my organisation?
We are co-hosting a series of CPD events delivered in partnership with industry educators and leaders. These sessions will focus on the practical use of the Wellbeing Guidelines, and will include their author, Dr Carly Schrever.
The sessions will equip leaders in legal workplaces to use the guidelines and understand the significant benefits of improving the wellbeing of their staff.
Register for a Wellbeing Guidelines CPD event via the links below:
- 28 August 2025, 5.45–7.30pm, College of Law, in person
- Law Institute of Victoria, {Link to come}
- Leo Cussen Centre for Law {Link to come}