BarTalk December 2004
Volume 16, Number 6

A report from the Chair

By Nicole M Byres

For the past three years the B.C. Branch has sponsored a special committee called the Child Care Working Group. Its mandate was to gather information related to child care, hiring of nannies, parental leave benefits, etc. and make that information available to members through the Branch’s website. While working on its mandate, committee members recognized that there were related work-life balance issues (such as elder care) which CBA members were facing. From other surveys and research into this area, we know that work-life balance is an important concern not only for lawyers, but also for firms who face the economic costs associated with losing lawyers or failing to recruit lawyers, either because lawyers have no support or perceive the firm will not provide support for their efforts to have a successful career while retaining an otherwise healthy lifestyle.

Based on the above noted experience and research, and because the working group had completed its original mandate, it made a proposal in the spring of this year that the B.C. Branch approve the creation of a new regular committee called Work Life Balance Committee. This new committee was formed in August. The committee’s mandate is to promote and provide information relating to work-life balance and well-being, for the benefit of Branch members. The committee intends to expand the scope of the existing section of the Branch website to incorporate information on this broader topic. As the committee revises and increases the information and resources on the Branch website, further notices will invite members to check it out.

The committee has identified some projects it will complete during the 2004-2005 year but would like to receive your input into how its work could assist you or your law firm, prior to finalizing both short-term and long-term goals. To that end, the committee would like input from any member who may have a suggestion for an issue the committee ought to consider relating to work-life balance and well-being. Members are invited to e-mail (worklifebalance@bccba.org) suggestions for projects or information which they believe would be of assistance to members.

Nicole M Byres is the 2004/2005 Chair of the CBA, BC Branch Work Life Balance Committee.

Three Tips for Balancing Work and Family

Be realistic – Work-life balance is more like a teeter-totter: in real life, demands on you from work and your personal life constantly evolve and change. Therefore, develop strong home, community and work resources for support.

Be organized – Efficiency is key, and that means delegating work, prioritizing your tasks, and taking or maintaining control over things you have control over. Learn to say “no.”

Be disciplined – Work as productively as you can during the day and week to minimize opportunities for work to infringe upon other priorities such as exercise, rest, and time with family and friends.

Adapted from articles on balancing work and life as published in CBA PracticeLink: www.cba.org/cba/PracticeLink/Home/default.aspx.

This article was published in the December 2004 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2004, all rights reserved.