Stress, behaviour and boundaries: A new toolkit aims to change how solicitors talk about wellbeing

Roundtable registration link: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/news-and-events/events/understanding-behaviour-stress-and-addiction-in-law-firms/ 

There are some conversations within the legal profession that are widely understood, yet still rarely spoken about openly.

Issues such as stress-related behaviours, substance use and addiction often sit in that category. They are recognised as part of the reality of modern legal practice, but many organisations remain uncertain about how to address them in a way that is appropriate, proportionate and professionally grounded.

Over the past year, there has been a noticeable shift.

Across Scotland, and more broadly across the UK and Ireland, legal organisations, professional bodies and leaders are beginning to engage with these topics in a more structured and considered way. Conversations that once felt difficult to initiate are now starting to take shape, not as isolated responses, but as part of a wider movement towards healthier and more sustainable working environments.

A consistent theme has emerged through this work.

People often want to support a colleague who may be struggling, but are not always sure how to begin the conversation.

In many cases, the challenge is not a lack of care, but a lack of confidence at the point where it matters most.

Managers, supervisors and colleagues may recognise when something is not quite right, but remain unsure how to approach a conversation in a way that is supportive, respectful and within professional boundaries. Concerns about saying the wrong thing, breaching confidentiality, or overstepping roles can lead to hesitation, and in some cases, silence.

It is within this context that the Law Society of Scotland, in collaboration with MCG Consulting, is developing the Safe Conversations Toolkit.

From awareness to confident action

Awareness of wellbeing within the legal profession has increased significantly in recent years. Mental health is more openly discussed and many organisations have taken meaningful steps to support their people.

However, awareness alone is rarely enough.

When concerns arise in practice, whether linked to stress, changes in behaviour or potential substance use, individuals often need more than general guidance. They need clarity, structure and language that enables them to act with confidence.

The Safe Conversations Toolkit is being developed to meet that need.

Its focus is practical. It is designed to support legal professionals in having conversations that are:

• respectful and non-judgemental
• grounded in professional responsibilities
• clear about boundaries and escalation
• informed by an understanding of behaviour and context

The aim is not to turn managers into specialists, but to build confidence in recognising when a conversation may be needed and how to approach it appropriately.

Good intentions do not always translate into confident action. The Toolkit is designed to help close that gap.

In doing so, it reflects a broader shift across the profession. Creating psychologically safe environments is not simply about policy, but about everyday interactions, particularly at moments when colleagues may need support.

A profession-wide conversation

As part of this work, a member roundtable will take place on 16 April 2026, bringing together legal professionals from across Scotland.

The session is designed as a facilitated discussion rather than a presentation. Its purpose is to explore how “safe conversations” work in practice, drawing on the experience and perspectives of those working within the profession.

Participants will consider questions such as:

• how to recognise early signs of concern without judgement
• what language and boundaries are appropriate within a regulated profession
• how confidentiality and escalation should be managed in practice
• what support looks like in different organisational contexts, including smaller firms

The emphasis is on practical insight. Contributions are welcomed in a professional context, including anonymised experiences and observations, with no expectation of personal disclosure.

This reflects an important principle.

Progress in this area does not come from isolated initiatives. It comes from shared understanding, informed by the realities of practice and shaped collectively by the profession.

Building guidance that reflects practice

The roundtable will play a central role in shaping the Safe Conversations Toolkit.

Rather than being developed in isolation, the Toolkit is being informed directly by the experiences, challenges and considerations raised by members. This ensures that the final guidance is not only conceptually sound, but also realistic and usable in day-to-day legal environments.

This collaborative approach aligns with a wider trend across the legal sector.

Through engagement with firms, regulators and professional bodies across the UK and Ireland, there is increasing focus on moving beyond awareness towards practical, embedded approaches to wellbeing. The emphasis is shifting towards tools and frameworks that can be applied in real situations, supporting both individuals and organisations over the long term.

An opportunity to contribute

For those working within the legal profession, the upcoming roundtable provides an opportunity to be part of that development.

It offers a space to:

• contribute to the creation of practical, profession-specific guidance
• gain insight into how others are approaching similar challenges
• reflect on how conversations around wellbeing are evolving within legal practice

It also signals something more fundamental.

The profession is beginning to move towards a more open, confident and structured approach to conversations that were previously avoided or deferred. That shift will be shaped by the willingness of individuals and organisations to engage with it in practice.

The Safe Conversations Toolkit is one step within that wider progression.

The roundtable is where that work begins to take shape.

Written by Steven McCann, Director of MCG Consulting