Why not acknowledge ‘International Women’s Day 2025’ with a “pause” and see how empowering it is for your employees and your business?

Are you and your employees aware of the number of psychological menopause symptoms that can impact the working life of women across this industry?

The International Bar Association’s 2021 wellbeing study, (and subsequent establishment of the IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission), highlighted that older women were more likely to experience more adverse mental health issues. The report recommended that, ‘developing a meaningful understanding and awareness of the needs of specific groups, and identifying effective ways to foster equality, diversity and inclusion within the legal profession globally is necessary to shape and benefit the future of law’.¹ 

To understand, support and retain older women within law firms, menopause education needs to be provided for all. Not only that, but your female employees who are experiencing any stage of menopause, need to be shown new ways to help support themselves, and this is what I ensured happened during some recent presentations I prepared and presented for women in law firms.

I have been providing a time for “pause” in many presentations over the years, but in January 2025 I had the opportunity during two presentations to gift nearly 100 women working in law to take a 60 second pause with me, and they were shocked at what this small but powerful moment did for them!

I often gift this time during my presentations, as I am fully aware of the busy working day in a law firm, as well as home life added on top, and also because I know people do not award this time to themselves freely. If they do, it is often a trade off for something else, and is usually loaded with guilt.

You may think this is a rather random approach to an article about International Women’s Day but let me explain further…

I know (because I have seen the results for both myself and my clients) that if we support the wellbeing of our employees, we can reap the benefits of increased loyalty, engagement, retention and productivity; as well as improve our workplace culture.

I specifically don’t ask women in law to “stop”, because stopping would feel too scary and sometimes impossible. Asking them to pause and take a moment to think of themselves is often the better option and can be the perfect re-set.

This year’s theme for IWD is #AccelerateAction.  This hashtag and theme are being used in a bid to campaign for gender equality.  It reminds us of the urgent need to break down systemic barriers and biases that women face every day, and in every aspect of life, both personally and professionally.

I am a strong believer that empowered women empower workplaces.

Supporting women, whether they’re colleagues, clients, or ourselves, is key to creating a wholly positive and inclusive environment for all.

Recent meetings with Professional Indemnity Insurers have highlighted the need to address workplace health and wellbeing, as it is now firmly on the agenda for PII underwriters.

Let’s face it… mistakes are made when fee earners are exhausted, overworked and burnt-out, so no wonder PII underwriters are asking what initiatives firms have in place to mitigate such risk.

I work with law firms who are starting to understand that wellbeing has moved in a different direction and if they want to retain their amazing staff, they need to support them in different ways.

I have seen positive steps forward following manager awareness sessions, where employees feel they can ask for support, and managers are now confident to provide it. This does not mean that managers are expected to have all the answers, but they now have the tools to facilitate an approachable and confident conversation, which is often all that is needed.

Why don’t you take a moment to pause and consider how you are supporting your employees’ and then reach out to discuss how I can help #AccelerateAction in your workplace.

Nicola Green Consultancy – A passion to change lives by providing ‘real life’ support and education

·       Menopause in the workplace

·       Grief and loss in the workplace

·       Wellbeing programmes

·       Team days

·       Coaching

Contact:

nicola@nicolagreenconsultancy.co.uk

www.nicolagreenconsultancy.co.uk

1. LegalWomen - Summer 2024