What the CBA is doing

by Catherine Sas, QC

A recent IPSOS-Reid poll of our profession polled the top priority issues facing lawyers today. Ninety-one per cent of the profession stated that the balance of your work as a lawyer with the quality of your personal and family life was the number one issue of concern. The poll also determined that work-life balance was the number one issue of concern for the Bar for the past ten years.

Given the significance of this priority to our profession, in August of 2004 the B.C. Branch created the Work-Life Balance Committee. For the past few years the Committee has focused on providing information to lawyers through the CBA website at www.cba.org/bc. Going to the website you will see the work-life balance link highlighted. We feature a number of current articles addressing different aspects of work-life balance such as child care, elder care, flexible work practices within the profession and other related topics. Starting this past month we will feature a monthly notice in the CBA e-mail bulletins “CBABC News and Jobs” drawing your attention to “Work-Life Balance Tips.” This month we are featuring a live podcast addressing work-life balance. You can access this from the CBA website or you can go directly to www.cba.org/cba/PracticeLink/podcasts/balance.aspx.

As pervasive as the issue of work-life balance has become, the response and support available and accessible to all members of the profession has been strong. Members can now call upon a variety of resources in effort to develop a wellness plan that works for you.

INTERLOCK EMPLOYEE AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM provides confidential and professional counselling services to members of the B.C. Law Society and their immediate family members.

24/7 Access - Interlock provides direct telephone access to a qualified master’s level clinician, by simply calling 604-431-8200 or toll free at 1-800-663-9099 or visit our interactive website at www.interlockeap.com.

THE LAWYERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM is an independent organization of members of the B.C. legal community which provides you with peer support and referral service to address issues pertaining to work-life balance – alcohol and drug dependence, stress and anxiety, depression and marriage.

Available to you 24 hours/7 days a week. You can reach them at 604-685-2171 or find out more on their website www.lapbc.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS THROUGH THE SERVICE:

• Life Balance Issues for Solo & Small Practitioners: Saturday, April 14, 2007 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., 415-1080 Mainland Street, Vancouver, B.C.
• Vaccinate Yourself Against Professional Burnout: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. 415-1080 Mainland Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Please contact the committee at worklifebalance@bccba.org with any comments, ideas or suggestions.

What is your work life balance challenge? How could your Committee best address your work life balance concerns? Address your questions and concerns at worklifebalance@bccba.org or send us an anecdote of how you have managed to overcome a particular professional challenge and maintain work life balance in your own professional life.

Catherine Sas, QC is the Chair of the CBABC Work Life Balance Committee.

This article was published in the April 2007 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2007, all rights reserved.