Mental health and wellness have become important areas of focus in the legal industry, even more so due to the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 has introduced issues of isolation due to working remotely, and many law firms are finding ways to keep attorneys and staff engaged virtually. Law360 interviewed Finnegan’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Dawn Ibbott, and Senior Professional Development Manager, Johnna Story, to discuss how Finnegan is keeping employees engaged to nurture mental health and wellness and maintain a sense of community.
One initiative the firm implemented is a weekly photo contest with different "work from home" themes, such as a picture of the participant with their favorite coffee mug, home office setups, or favorite office footwear. Dawn and Johnna said, “Finnegan recognizes that our attorneys and staff are in different home situations. For many of our employees, this is the first time they have worked remotely, so there has been an increased effort to maintain a sense of connection and community.”