Licensee and Staff Wellness Policy

Purpose

Legal work can be demanding: deadlines, conflict, and clients going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. NEO, a licensed paralegal firm, wants everyone who works here to stay well, and to feel able to ask for help early. This policy explains what we do, and where to find confidential support.

Who it applies to

Everyone who works with NEO: employees, independent-contractor paralegals and students on placement.

What we do

1. Manageable workloads. The principal reviews workloads and deadlines regularly. If your workload isn't manageable, say so early; we would rather reassign or re-plan work than have deadlines missed or people burn out. Deadlines are protected under our Supervision and Delegation Policy.
2. Breaks and rest. Employees take the eating periods and rest the Employment Standards Act, 2000 requires, including a 30-minute eating period so that no one works more than five hours in a row without one, and at least 11 hours in a row off work each day, under our Hours of Work, Overtime and Attendance Policy.
3. Switching off. Outside working hours you are not expected to answer work messages, except as our Disconnecting from Work Policy explains.
4. Time away. Vacation, sick days and other leaves are explained in our Vacation, Holidays and Leaves Policy. Request time off through the staff portal.
5. Difficult matters and people. Anyone may end an abusive call or meeting, under our Respectful Conduct Policy (Clients and Visitors). After a distressing call, hearing or incident, take a moment, talk to the principal, and use the supports below. Violence and harassment are dealt with under our Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment Policy and Program.
6. Accommodation. Mental health conditions and addictions can be disabilities under the Human Rights Code. If your health affects your work, we will work with you on accommodation, under our Workplace Accommodation and Return to Work Policy.

Asking for help

Talk to the principal, in person or by email to info@neolegalservices.com. You don't have to share a diagnosis or more than you are comfortable with. What you tell us is kept confidential and shared only with those who need it to support you, unless someone's safety is at serious risk. Asking for help is never held against you.

Confidential support

For licensees, students and their families: the Law Society of Ontario's Member Assistance Program (MAP), provided by Homewood Health, is a confidential service funded by, and fully independent of, the Law Society and LAWPRO. It offers counselling, coaching, peer support and online resources for issues including stress, mental and physical health, addictions, work-life balance, career and family. Lawyers, paralegals, and law and paralegal students can use it, and the program's own website says it also covers their families. Call 1-855-403-8922 or see the Law Society's well-being resource centre. MAP is confidential, and NEO is not involved in it.

For everyone:

• In an emergency, call 911.
• 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• ConnexOntario: free, confidential information about mental health, addictions and problem gambling services in Ontario, 24/7, at 1-866-531-2600 or by text (CONNEX to 247247).
• Your family doctor or other health care provider.

Alcohol and drugs

Don't work while impaired by alcohol, cannabis or other drugs, including prescription medication that affects your ability to work safely. If you are struggling with substance use, please ask for help: we treat it as a health issue and will discuss accommodation and support.

Fitness to practise (licensees)

Licensees must be able to meet their obligations to clients. If a health issue affects your ability to practise, get support early, tell the principal so client matters and deadlines can be covered, under our Business Continuity and Succession Policy, and consider limiting your practice or taking time away. Separately from its discipline process, the Law Society can ask its Tribunal to decide whether a licensee's health is preventing them from meeting their obligations, and the Tribunal can make orders such as treatment, limits on practice or a suspension. Getting help early is the best way to protect yourself and your clients.

Looking out for each other

If you are worried about a colleague, check in with them kindly, and let the principal know if you think someone may be at risk. If a person is in immediate danger, call 911.

Review

This policy is reviewed at least once a year. The principal approves every change, and welcomes ideas from everyone on how to make NEO a healthier place to work.

Questions

Email info@neolegalservices.com, call 647-200-3526 or toll-free 888-519-2435, or write to us at Unit 236, 1099 Kingston Road, Pickering, Ontario L1V 1B5.