Working as a remote lawyer can lead to isolation
The way we work has continued to evolve for several years, and the pandemic accelerated that change in many ways. Working as a remote lawyer has significant benefits, but it can mean a greater sense of isolation for many.
According to a recent ABA report, while many lawyers like the flexibility of remote or hybrid work, it comes with some downsides:
“Remote work has also had significant negative effects, the report found. Overall, 23% of respondents experienced increased stress levels and 42% felt heightened social isolation. Additionally, nearly half felt declines in the quality of co-worker relationships.”
These numbers should serve as a reminder to large and small firms alike that creating a strong law firm culture can help attorneys feel more engaged, less stressed and better able to work well.
Creating flexibility
For large law firms with many attorneys, creating a flexible work culture that accounts for individual preferences may help. According to Fast Company:
“Employees value greater flexibility, and any sweeping form of transformation that fails to address this is missing an essential target. Leaders often fail to realize just how important genuine flexibility is—so much so that their views of it differ substantially from that of their workforce.”
Allowing lawyers and staff to choose a combination of in-office days to balance remote work, for example, may give people a greater sense of autonomy over their work and personal lives. For law firm leaders worried about underutilized office space, opening the office to sublease tenants may help ease the real estate burden.
Independent lawyers and small firms tend to have more flexibility built in to their structures, but these firms can err on the side of too lean. That translates into an imperfect home office setting for many, which in turn creates more isolation. For these firms, choosing a shared office or coworking space can fill the social and networking gaps.
The social benefits of an office
Harvard University and MIT created the Work and Well-Being Initiative to help improve workplace well-being. Its researchers have found:
“The quality of social relationships in the workplace matters for employee health and well-being. The evidence shows that positive social connections at work—supportive interactions, a sense of belonging, and effective teamwork—improve worker well-being and can protect against harmful effects of workplace stress. Positive relationships at work are also good for the bottom line. Research shows that these connections can increase productivity by improving how employees work together to get the job done. Happier, healthier employees are also less likely to call out sick, incur high medical insurance costs, or quit.”
These findings apply to both large work teams and independent workers. For entrepreneurs, finding a community of likeminded business leaders can fill in for the lack of formal colleagues in an office.
While entrepreneurs, including independent lawyers, can suffer from mental health challenges, maintaining a strong support network can help. Entrepreneur magazine shares some helpful tips for maintaining well-being, including:
“As well as connecting to like-minded entrepreneurs, it’s also important to build a strong support network across friends, family, colleagues, and mentors to counter self-imposed social isolation, and explore opportunities outside of the office.”
In short, you need both a professional circle and a personal support network. Creating a better work-life balance as an entrepreneurial lawyer means prioritizing your physical, mental and social health. It means setting boundaries between work and personal time. It means reaching out and creating community and a healthy law firm culture.
Ready to find a community of support for your small law firm or create a better culture for your large law firm? We can help. With coworking for lawyers at our shared office locations, independent lawyers can end isolation. With our real estate services, large law firms can maximize office space and offer flexibility to their people. Reach out to learn more.
