Celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March 2020
by Connecting the Legal Profession to Wellbeing: WiL International Principles
By Dr Linda Spedding
by Connecting the Legal Profession to Wellbeing: WiL International Principles
By Dr Linda Spedding
Professional – and economic- priorities are changing globally and many members of the legal community are overwhelmingly of the view that the demanding culture should also change In order to achieve wellbeing so that its members can be: healthy, happy, balanced and resilient; and more effective and efficient as a whole. The Legal Profession should lead by example in enabling every individual to realise their potential and regain its position as an aware, open and enlightened profession with exemplary ethics and standards. Having regard to its special place in society this approach that highlights wellbeing has significant positive social and economic impacts and will continue to do so. For several years Women in Law (WiL) International has been offering resources to inspire wellbeing for the Legal Profession. This has been inclusive. With this in mind the theme for International Women’s Day 2020 - Each for Equal - is very relevant. As is stated “An equal world is an enabled world”. at WiL we believe that wellbeing - including the transparent reporting of wellbeing - is vital to achieving this aspiration.
One key concern is ethnic and gender respect, recognition and diversity which can enable more sustainable and relevant decision making in these unsettled times. This can mean a healthier and happier profession for current women in the law. It is an inclusive approach as the more traditional gender roles evolve, in turn enabling more inclusive positive communication, networking, as well as the sharing of resources and lessons learned for a sustainable future.
At Women in Law we are advocating for positive change globally to improve the professional’s experience and sense of wellbeing that enables success and effectiveness. We do so by connecting individual practitioners, including lawyers in the public, private and NGO sectors, academia and law firms to knowledge, experience and resources to help build a better and more fulfilled. The legal sector has extensive influence - directly and indirectly- and our presence can assist with a brighter and more positive future. A healthy and balanced legal sector is an asset to the world as a whole: to attain their individual potential members of the profession need accessible tools and resources to deal with the daily pressures in terms of stress, anxiety and anger management, time management, individual and collective work responsibilities management, family management, emotional management and overall life management.
• We believe that the long-term stability of our profession depends upon an open, appropriate response to achieving a more balanced professional way of life or lifestyle and that it is to the benefit of all that we incorporate this goal In practice into our legal strategies: WiL offers access to a health management system (see further below) applying timeless principles for balancing the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of life to build a foundation for lasting health and happiness through the cycle of professional and personal life. Confidential mentoring and retreat information is available upon request.
• We will share information and work openly with policy makers, the legal and academic communities and others by sharing analysis and understanding through appropriate reports so that we are all better equipped to adapt to a happier and healthier legal profession and to deal with the ongoing stress, anxiety and challenges (see GRI guidelines below).
• We will be courteous and responsive in our communications to or with other members of the Women in Law International Network in a timely manner and We will respect and maintain appropriate confidentiality upon request.
• Having regard to the diverse nature of our sector and its activities we strive to be as flexible as possible to maximise a positive impact on legal culture.
• When undertaking research, reports, guidance and proposals for change - particularly in the context of wellbeing - we will take appropriate account of the principles of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) (for which Women in Law has been a consultee) on corporate responsibility as well as GRI reporting guidelines covering economic, environmental and ethical indicators of performance. WiL International is committed to the highest ethical standards. The GRI has set out 11 Principles towards which reporting organisations should strive. We encourage our community to apply these to ensure a balanced awareness of economic, environmental and social priorities in any of our activities and to make positive change. We endeavour to provide a valuable forum of support to WiL stakeholders.
• 1. Transparency: to generate trust with those with whom we work;
• 2. Inclusiveness: to capture the opinions of a wide range of stakeholders through research initiatives to gauge opinions of employees, investors, NGOs, clients, business associates, the general public and the media.
• 3. Auditability: The GRI states that “data and information should be recorded, compiled, analysed and disclosed in a way that would enable internal auditors or external assurance providers to attest to its reliability“.
• 4. Completeness: The GRI states that all information that is material to readers for assessing economic, environmental, and social performance should appear in any report or proposal.
• 5. Relevance: This relates to the threshold at which information becomes significant enough to be reported through stakeholder engagement and research activities.
• 6. Sustainability Context
• We aim to embed sustainability/corporate responsibility into the fabric of our activities including any reporting practices.
• 7. Accuracy
• Accuracy of the report is necessary to enable readers to make judgements based on its findings.
• 8. Neutrality
• GRI states that “…reports should avoid bias in selection and presentation of information and strive to provide a balanced account of the reporting organisation’s performance”.
• 9. Comparability
• GRI states that “the reporting organisation should maintain consistency in the boundary and scope of its reports, disclose any changes, and re-state previously reported information”
• 10. Clarity
• To provide clarity, reports should be written and laid out in a way that enables them to be understood by a range of readers.
• 11. Timelines
• We will report corporate responsibility performance in a timely manner when undertaking research and other activities as the prompt and effective undertaking of activities supports true self esteem, empowerment and wellbeing. We believe that every individual - regardless of background, age, stage or gender in particular - has the right to a fulfilling and flexible legal career and opportunities in order to realise their potential as far as is practicable and through this initiative we intend to enable positive communication, example and support, thereby bringing wellbeing in stressful times “helping the world in the ways that we can”. A well legal sector that is transparent about equality and fairness can enable a unique example for other professional, business or NGO sectors and society as a whole, driving effective positive change.
I have always believed that health is the most important pillar of wealth and have trained and guided (see www.BalancedLives.Info)in this connection. The core has been the perennial Vedic teachings on balance And wellbeing that enable more resilience and happy, healthy living based also on responsibility for self. My voluntary work has involved the dissemination of such teachings: this wisdom is very relevant in this stressful life.At Adhyatmik Foundation, for which I am Vice President and where we have developed a Health Management System and published on key aspects of Balanced Living. The Founder, Prof. Dr Svami Purna, inaugurated “Seven Commandments for Good Health and Happiness and All-Around Wellbeing”, as follows:
One should follow a good balanced framework for life and that includes:
1. Good food: Balanced and healthy nutrition
2. Good sleep: sound sleep, deep sleep, carefree sleep, relaxed 6-8 hours sleep
3. Good exercise: that means walking,yoga, swimming, moderate physical activity
4. Good mind: positive approach towards life in thought and in action, including good deeds, voluntary work or selfless service (seva) without any condition, expectation or agenda, gain or reward,
5. Good meditation: that means review, contemplation, gentle analysis, silence, pranayam, positive sound and music, and focus of mind on nature including flowers and trees and plants
6. Good human interaction and good relationships: pleasant, positive, gossip-free interaction with family, friends, work place associates and outside world where interaction occurs with human beings, and responsibility for self without blame and complaint or ill will against anyone.
7. Good interaction with plants and animals, recognizing them as our life supports and helpers; and help our environment and our world to sustain properly.
These are the simple seven commandments for a good life and lasting well-being and happiness
As we reflect on this celebration of International Women’s Day 2020 it is our intention that the principles referred to above can be observed as key to the theme of Each for Equal and a happy, healthy and motivated legal profession.
One key concern is ethnic and gender respect, recognition and diversity which can enable more sustainable and relevant decision making in these unsettled times. This can mean a healthier and happier profession for current women in the law. It is an inclusive approach as the more traditional gender roles evolve, in turn enabling more inclusive positive communication, networking, as well as the sharing of resources and lessons learned for a sustainable future.
At Women in Law we are advocating for positive change globally to improve the professional’s experience and sense of wellbeing that enables success and effectiveness. We do so by connecting individual practitioners, including lawyers in the public, private and NGO sectors, academia and law firms to knowledge, experience and resources to help build a better and more fulfilled. The legal sector has extensive influence - directly and indirectly- and our presence can assist with a brighter and more positive future. A healthy and balanced legal sector is an asset to the world as a whole: to attain their individual potential members of the profession need accessible tools and resources to deal with the daily pressures in terms of stress, anxiety and anger management, time management, individual and collective work responsibilities management, family management, emotional management and overall life management.
• We believe that the long-term stability of our profession depends upon an open, appropriate response to achieving a more balanced professional way of life or lifestyle and that it is to the benefit of all that we incorporate this goal In practice into our legal strategies: WiL offers access to a health management system (see further below) applying timeless principles for balancing the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of life to build a foundation for lasting health and happiness through the cycle of professional and personal life. Confidential mentoring and retreat information is available upon request.
• We will share information and work openly with policy makers, the legal and academic communities and others by sharing analysis and understanding through appropriate reports so that we are all better equipped to adapt to a happier and healthier legal profession and to deal with the ongoing stress, anxiety and challenges (see GRI guidelines below).
• We will be courteous and responsive in our communications to or with other members of the Women in Law International Network in a timely manner and We will respect and maintain appropriate confidentiality upon request.
• Having regard to the diverse nature of our sector and its activities we strive to be as flexible as possible to maximise a positive impact on legal culture.
• When undertaking research, reports, guidance and proposals for change - particularly in the context of wellbeing - we will take appropriate account of the principles of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) (for which Women in Law has been a consultee) on corporate responsibility as well as GRI reporting guidelines covering economic, environmental and ethical indicators of performance. WiL International is committed to the highest ethical standards. The GRI has set out 11 Principles towards which reporting organisations should strive. We encourage our community to apply these to ensure a balanced awareness of economic, environmental and social priorities in any of our activities and to make positive change. We endeavour to provide a valuable forum of support to WiL stakeholders.
• 1. Transparency: to generate trust with those with whom we work;
• 2. Inclusiveness: to capture the opinions of a wide range of stakeholders through research initiatives to gauge opinions of employees, investors, NGOs, clients, business associates, the general public and the media.
• 3. Auditability: The GRI states that “data and information should be recorded, compiled, analysed and disclosed in a way that would enable internal auditors or external assurance providers to attest to its reliability“.
• 4. Completeness: The GRI states that all information that is material to readers for assessing economic, environmental, and social performance should appear in any report or proposal.
• 5. Relevance: This relates to the threshold at which information becomes significant enough to be reported through stakeholder engagement and research activities.
• 6. Sustainability Context
• We aim to embed sustainability/corporate responsibility into the fabric of our activities including any reporting practices.
• 7. Accuracy
• Accuracy of the report is necessary to enable readers to make judgements based on its findings.
• 8. Neutrality
• GRI states that “…reports should avoid bias in selection and presentation of information and strive to provide a balanced account of the reporting organisation’s performance”.
• 9. Comparability
• GRI states that “the reporting organisation should maintain consistency in the boundary and scope of its reports, disclose any changes, and re-state previously reported information”
• 10. Clarity
• To provide clarity, reports should be written and laid out in a way that enables them to be understood by a range of readers.
• 11. Timelines
• We will report corporate responsibility performance in a timely manner when undertaking research and other activities as the prompt and effective undertaking of activities supports true self esteem, empowerment and wellbeing. We believe that every individual - regardless of background, age, stage or gender in particular - has the right to a fulfilling and flexible legal career and opportunities in order to realise their potential as far as is practicable and through this initiative we intend to enable positive communication, example and support, thereby bringing wellbeing in stressful times “helping the world in the ways that we can”. A well legal sector that is transparent about equality and fairness can enable a unique example for other professional, business or NGO sectors and society as a whole, driving effective positive change.
I have always believed that health is the most important pillar of wealth and have trained and guided (see www.BalancedLives.Info)in this connection. The core has been the perennial Vedic teachings on balance And wellbeing that enable more resilience and happy, healthy living based also on responsibility for self. My voluntary work has involved the dissemination of such teachings: this wisdom is very relevant in this stressful life.At Adhyatmik Foundation, for which I am Vice President and where we have developed a Health Management System and published on key aspects of Balanced Living. The Founder, Prof. Dr Svami Purna, inaugurated “Seven Commandments for Good Health and Happiness and All-Around Wellbeing”, as follows:
One should follow a good balanced framework for life and that includes:
1. Good food: Balanced and healthy nutrition
2. Good sleep: sound sleep, deep sleep, carefree sleep, relaxed 6-8 hours sleep
3. Good exercise: that means walking,yoga, swimming, moderate physical activity
4. Good mind: positive approach towards life in thought and in action, including good deeds, voluntary work or selfless service (seva) without any condition, expectation or agenda, gain or reward,
5. Good meditation: that means review, contemplation, gentle analysis, silence, pranayam, positive sound and music, and focus of mind on nature including flowers and trees and plants
6. Good human interaction and good relationships: pleasant, positive, gossip-free interaction with family, friends, work place associates and outside world where interaction occurs with human beings, and responsibility for self without blame and complaint or ill will against anyone.
7. Good interaction with plants and animals, recognizing them as our life supports and helpers; and help our environment and our world to sustain properly.
These are the simple seven commandments for a good life and lasting well-being and happiness
As we reflect on this celebration of International Women’s Day 2020 it is our intention that the principles referred to above can be observed as key to the theme of Each for Equal and a happy, healthy and motivated legal profession.